Join the Western Educational Equity Assistance Center (WEEAC) for a webinar series that examines the root causes of systemic educational inequities and offers actionable, evidence-based practices for disrupting bias and achieving equitable outcomes for all students. From Beliefs to Action: Designing Culturally Responsive Systems equips educators and education leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to cultivate inclusivity, challenge biases, and overcome inequities in educational spaces.
From November 1 through April 25, WestEd experts Rawlin Rosario, Jackie Peng, Khamia Powell, Krystal Wu, David Lopez, John Jacobs, Nancy Tiên, and Alexandria Harvey will facilitate five dynamic and interactive sessions on topics including
- developing equity literacy by identifying systemic beliefs, policies, procedures, and practices that contribute to educational inequities for historically marginalized students;
- establishing culturally responsive practices, policies, and data use to promote inclusive education; and
- cultivating family and community engagement and partnerships.
Who Will Benefit
- Educators (K–12)
- School districts
- Charter management organizations
- Local and state educational agencies
- Bureau of Indian Education
- Tribal education personnel
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion education partners and organizers
Session 2: Foundations of Culturally Responsive & Sustaining Education
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2024
Event Time: 2:00–4:00 p.m. (Pacific) / 5:00–7:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Facilitators: Rawlin Rosario, Khamia Powell, Jackie Peng
Explore how and where culture exists in our schools and shared spaces and how becoming a culturally responsive educator is critical to addressing educational inequities and fostering student belonging.
Session 3: Solving Disproportionality & Culturally Responsive Data Literacy
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024
Event Time: 2:00–4:00 p.m. (Pacific) / 5:00–7:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Facilitators: Rawlin Rosario, Krystal Wu, David Lopez
Data inform nearly every aspect of school design, culture, and improvement. During this session, we’ll explore the importance of centering culture and equity in data interpretation, particularly as it pertains to students with disabilities. We’ll also share ways you can identify and use data sources beyond assessments to inform culturally responsive policies and practices while advancing educational equity.
Session 4: From Awareness to Action: Equity Detours & the Equity Literacy Framework
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Event Time: 2:00–4:00 p.m. (Pacific) / 5:00–7:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Facilitators: Rawlin Rosario, John Jacobs
Learn to identify common “detours” that can hinder achieving equity, strengthening educators’ equity literacy, and cultivating practitioners’ abilities to create an equitable environment.
Session 5: Family and Community Engagement
Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024
Event Time: 2:00–4:00 p.m. (Pacific) / 5:00–7:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Facilitators: Rawlin Rosario, Nancy Tiên, Alexandria Harvey
During the final session of our series, we’ll examine how we can extend equity beyond the classroom by deepening our understanding of culturally responsive family and community engagement. Participants will gain strategies and practices for partnering with families and communities to achieve equity for marginalized students and communities.
After registering for the webinar sessions, learn more about WestEd’s WEEAC, Culturally Responsive & Equitable Systems, Resilient and Healthy Schools and Communities, Special Education Policy and Practice, and the Regional Educational Laboratory West (REL West).