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The Cultural Proficiency Manifesto
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The Cultural Proficiency Manifesto
Finding Clarity Amidst the Noise

Foreword by Stephanie Graham Rivas



October 2017 | 120 pages | Corwin
A call-to-arms for educators in tumultuous times

In times of social disruption and uncertainty, we must return to our core values and remember why we entered education in the first place: to make a difference in the lives of all children. Cultural Proficiency can provide us with essential tools for acting on the promise of American public schooling.

The Cultural Proficiency Manifesto places today’s political divisiveness in the context of greater historical change and provides a roadmap to interrupting the cycle of hostility towards marginalized groups. Readers will find:
Esteemed author Randall Lindsey’s latest thinking on Cultural Proficiency
A deliberately brief format that unpacks the Cultural Proficiency Framework and offers practical guidance 
Tools and guiding principles to help educators move their school community toward inclusivity 
Prompts for individual reflection and team dialogue

Now more than ever, our students need educators to uphold our commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusion for all. 
 
"Lindsey's manifesto is a call to action for educators to ensure we are creating culturally responsive environments to support all learners. It teaches us how to authentically engage in the work of educating our wonderfully diverse population."
—Julie A. Vitale, Superintendent
Romoland School District, CA


“This manifesto is indeed timely and essential. Dr. Lindsey's vast experience as an expert and leader in cultural proficiency reminds us that now is the time to acknowledge and address the vast number of diversity, equity, and social justice issues at hand."
—Kenneth R. Magdaleno, Executive Director
Center for Leadership, Equity, and Research

 

 
Foreword
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
Introduction
 
PART I: THE NOISE: A VICIOUS CYCLE
 
Chapter 1: Purpose of This Manifesto
My Perspective

 
My Concern

 
Reflection

 
The Cultural Proficiency Framework as a Road Map

 
Technical and Adaptive Change

 
Reflection

 
Expressions of Bigotry Can Be Motivational

 
Reflection

 
Design of This Book

 
 
Chapter 2: A Brief History of Inequity and Equity: A Tsunami Warning
Lesson Learned #1

 
Cycles of Disruption as Levers for Change: A Tsunami Warning

 
Inequities Are on Our Doorsteps for Us to Address

 
The Silver Lining of Equity in Our Founding Documents

 
Lesson Learned #2

 
Reflection

 
Reflection

 
More About Achievement Gaps

 
The Myth of Failing Public Schools

 
School Reform from 1980s to Present

 
Going Deeper

 
Dialogic Activity

 
 
Chapter 3: History and Hope for Changing Schools
Education Language and the Power of “Why?”

 
Lesson Learned #3

 
Transformative Change

 
The Achievement Gap Is Not New

 
Into the Second Century of Education Reform: The “Why?” Question

 
Amidst the Noise Is Clarity

 
Going Deeper

 
Dialogic Activity

 
 
PART II: LISTENING FOR CLARITY
 
Chapter 4: The Cultural Proficiency Framework
Culturally Proficient Leadership

 
Lesson Learned #4

 
The Tools of Cultural Proficiency

 
The Cultural Proficiency Conceptual Framework as a Guide

 
Barriers vs. Cultural Assets: The Tension for Change

 
Transforming the Culture of School

 
Going Deeper

 
Dialogic Activity

 
 
Chapter 5: Resistance to Change: The Anger–Guilt Continuum
Surfacing Privilege and Entitlement

 
Reflections on Entitlement: A Mystic Elementary School Conversation

 
Reflective Activity

 
Carrying Our Learning Forward

 
Going Deeper

 
Dialogic Activity

 
 
Chapter 6: Going Forward Takes Commitment and Effort: It Always Has
The Blaring of Trumpets

 
PHASE 1: The Guiding Principles of Cultural Proficiency

 
Nine Key Questions for Reflection and Dialogue

 
Use Internal Assets and Be Intentional

 
PHASE 2: The Essential Elements of Cultural Competence

 
Going Deeper

 
Dialogic Activity

 
 
Chapter 7: My Final Thoughts and, Then, Your Turn
Two-Phase Process—Guiding Principles and Essential Elements

 
Reflection

 
Closing Comments

 
 
References
 
Resources
 
Index

"Dr. Lindsey's Manifesto is a call to action for educators to ensure we are creating culturally responsive educational environments to support all learners and teaches us how to authentically engage in the work of educating our wonderfully diverse population."

Dr. Julie A. Vitale, Superintendent
Romoland School District

"Dr. Lindsey makes a clear and passionate case for the need for social justice to be moved to the forefront for all of us. He makes it an imperative for all to move beyond word to actions and to become leaders in setting a equitable future for all."

Raymond Terrell, Interim Chair Teacher (Education)
Miami University of Ohio

"This latest book by Randall Lindsey offers educators paths to hope in the new normal following the 2016 elections. Amidst the cacophony of this ‘noise’ he challenges us to surface privilege and entitlements through tools of cultural proficiency in service of all students. All educators owe it to themselves and the children they teach to rise above the ‘noise’ and find the clarity this book offers. "

Dr. Rosemary Papa, Professor of Comparative and International Education and Leadership
Soka University of America

"The recent adoption of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the 2015 reauthorization of ESEA which replaces No Child Left Behind (NCLB), reasserts the federal focus on all students being academically successful. However, attention to addressing the needs of the diversity in America's classrooms has not been mandated, introduced, or discussed. Professional development, and professional dialogue around the tools of The Conceptual Framework for Culturally Proficient Practice, can provide a bridge to support school leaders in developing a relationship with their community as they improve access and equity to quality educational experience for America's children."

Dr. Patricia Horton, Principal
Colton Joint Unified School District

"A must read for those perplexed with the current political rhetoric. Through an autobiographical approach, Dr. Lindsey brings clarity of purpose and productive action in creating environment where ALL students can be successful."

Dr. Luis A. Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools
Escondido Union School District

"Powerful, genuine, personal, and supportive – the author rallies all educators to recognize the cyclical problems by listening to the noise influencing our 21st century classrooms. Using the ‘inside-out approach’ to Cultural Proficiency, educators are encouraged to allow a self-quieting methodology, listen for the current cycle of noise, and rely on the Tools of Cultural Proficiency, specifically the Guiding Principles. Through guidance, the author encourages using cultural differences as assets, having hope, and dedicating yourself to move forward using culturally proficient practices in order for our organizations to focus on educating all students through equitable systems."

Dr. Jaime E. Welborn, Assistant Professor (Education Leadership)
Saint Louis University

"Powerfully moving! Lindsey provides a stirring appeal to stand on the platform of cultural proficiency to quiet the "noise" for making the change necessary to fully educate each child. We are already able, we simply need to do!"

Franklin CampbellJones, Vice President
Campbell Jones and Associates

"The timing of Dr. Lindsey’s “Manifesto” could not be more perfect, or more necessary. It allows us to slow down, re-engage, and reflect on where we have been, where we are now and where we want to go. It pushes against our comfort zones in a way that invites us to explore and challenge our beliefs, while "becoming aware and knowing what you don’t know.” Finally, it reminds us that this is a journey of introspection and continuous growth for educators committed to educating ALL children."

Dr. Nancy Dome, CEO
Epoch Education

"Now more important than ever, Randall Lindsey provides us the why, what, and how to continually strive to be individually and collectively culturally proficient! Why? We must, as educators, meet our moral imperative to create a socially-just democracy by educating all of our children in all of our schools! What? Creating a socially-just democracy requires educators and schools who constantly develop their individual and collective knowledge and skills of cultural proficiency.  How?  Skillful and honest use of the Culturally Proficient Framework, Guiding Principles, Continuum rubric, Essential Elements, and Cultural Proficiency Tools will facilitate culturally proficient students, educators, and schools."

Dr. Bess Scott, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
Doane University

"Dr. Randy Lindsey’s latest book is a must read for socially conscious educational leaders who care deeply about the future viability and vitality of their communities as well as the sustainability of our deep democratic ideals and more importantly, a guide for creating meaningful change in both policy and practice that ultimately open doors of opportunity to those students who have traditionally been designated to the margins of success in our schools and society."

 

Dr. Robert L. Jarvis, Director of Equity Leadership Initiatives
Penn Center for Educational Leadership, University of Pennsylvania

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