Equitable access to rigorous and culturally sustaining curricula, including automatic advanced-coursework enrollment¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The brief argues students must be challenged and encouraged to meet high expectations through rigorous, deeper learning and culturally sustaining curricula; when students 'both see themselves in the work and feel their teachers challenging them to excel,' their belief in themselves to reach their goals strengthens. It recommends guidance for adopting culturally sustaining curricula, standards-aligned curriculum selection, and public reporting of advanced coursework enrollment and success disaggregated by course type.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• State education agency staff available to support districts with implementation of culturally relevant or culturally sustaining curricula

Constraints¶

• The brief notes Massachusetts should still require automatic enrollment in advanced coursework in high school and provide a review process for whether curricula meet cultural-sustainability and standards-alignment criteria

Target Learners¶

• P-12 students, with attention to equitable enrollment in advanced coursework

Target Learning Goals¶

• Rigorous deeper learning, culturally sustaining curriculum experiences, and college and career preparation

Claims¶

Related Strategies¶

• Support belonging in AP classes through AP teachers of color, near-peer mentors, culturally sustaining curricula, and targeted supports
• State policy package to expand equitable access to advanced coursework: credit transparency, automatic enrollment with opt-out, fee removal, disaggregated data reporting, and belonging supports
• Pair increased academic demand with increased teacher support when raising instructional rigor
• Six policy areas state leaders can implement to create equitable SEAD-supportive learning environments
• Adopt automatic (opt-out) enrollment policies placing qualifying students in advanced coursework

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• The Education Trust. (2023). How Does Massachusetts Support Students' Social, Emotional, and Academic Development (SEAD)?. EdTrust.org. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED630071