1. How do I register?
2. Why are we having it?
3. Why should I come?
4. Why did the Cultural Proficiency Committee choose Student Voice as a theme?
The first day will offer varied-level sessions for participants whose knowledge of Cultural Proficiency can range from introductory to years into the journey. The second day will focus on Student Voice. The workshops will share information about Student Voice and highlight examples from our school system.
5. What are definitions of the terms?
6. What is it?
7. When and where is it?
8. Is there a fee or cost to attend?
9. Can I get CPD credits or be compensated for my time?
10. That’s a long day, will there be food?
11. Who can come?
12. Who should be on a school team?
13. Why can’t I bring more staff or students?
14. What if I can’t attend? Will there be other opportunities to learn about Cultural Proficiency and Student Voice?
15. How should I dress for this event?
- Registration opens at the beginning of June. Click on this link to take you back to the registration page on this website.
2. Why are we having it?
- To showcase what is strong, positive and dynamic about our schools and provide a venue for sharing bright spots within our county.
- To support schools with planning for next steps in addressing inclusion and equity in the context of school improvement.
3. Why should I come?
- This is an opportunity to learn and grow with your colleagues in order to understand how Student Voice can help with school improvement, build inclusive environments, and co-create schools that harness the power of students leading with teachers.
4. Why did the Cultural Proficiency Committee choose Student Voice as a theme?
- Since this will be the first of many yearly Cultural Proficiency Conferences, our steering committee selected a theme that was timely and would help us raise conversations and actions towards inclusion and equity.
The first day will offer varied-level sessions for participants whose knowledge of Cultural Proficiency can range from introductory to years into the journey. The second day will focus on Student Voice. The workshops will share information about Student Voice and highlight examples from our school system.
5. What are definitions of the terms?
- Cultural Proficiency is the journey (process) to the goal of Excellence with Equity.
- Cultural Competence is the behavioral standards to respond respectfully in order to engage and equitably respond to differences.
- Excellence is High Expectations, Inclusion, and Cultural Competence
- Equity in education is raising the achievement of all students while narrowing the gaps between the highest- and lowest-performing students, and eliminating the racial predictability and disproportionality of which student groups occupy the highest and lowest achievement categories. — From Courageous Conversations, Glenn Singleton and Curtis Linton
- Inclusion is defined as “The active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity—in people, in the curriculum, in the co-curriculum, and in communities (intellectual, social, cultural, geographical) with which individuals might connect—in ways that increase one’s awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions” (AAC&U, 2009, ¶ 3). -- University of Arizona
- Inclusiveness is how people from all backgrounds are involved in the organization, how their perspectives are valued, and how their needs are understood.
- Student Voice is power-sharing with students--students are integral in cultivating the learning environment that will propel all students toward their goals.
- Student Voice Circle is a model that has been piloted at a few HCPSS high schools the past year. This model offers a space for students and teachers to listen, lead and learn together. Student Voice Circles are only one example of Student Voice.
6. What is it?
- An inaugural two-day conference for students and educators to:
- Develop as a community dedicated to excellence with equity.
- Gain knowledge of Cultural Proficiency and Student Voice.
- Learn about inclusive and equitable practices.
- Commit to action for inclusion, cultural competence, high expectations, and equity.
- Events and Conference Workshops
7. When and where is it?
- Takes place Wednesday, June 29 and Thursday, June 30, 8am-4pm at Atholton High School
8. Is there a fee or cost to attend?
- There are no fees to attend.
- HCPSS leadership has prioritized and is in full support of this conference.
9. Can I get CPD credits or be compensated for my time?
- CPD credit or workshop wages available for 10- and 11-month staff
- Workshop wages for presenters, who are 10- and 11-month staff
10. That’s a long day, will there be food?
- Lunch is included!
- Morning beverages- coffee, orange juice and water will be provided
- Snacks- granola bars, chips, etc. will be available
11. Who can come?
- All schools are invited to bring three adult staff members (at least one administrator)
- High schools also may bring three students
- Limited spaces are reserved for Central Office staff
- Limited space for community partners who help build and support inclusive environments to share information at tables
12. Who should be on a school team?
- At least one administrator
- Staff members wanting to make Inclusion and Equity a reality at your schools and have the Influence or leadership capacity to do this.
- For high school teams- students who want to be a part of making positive change in their school and are comfortable working with adults.
13. Why can’t I bring more staff or students?
- Space is limited due to logistics and physical space constraints.
- Since this is the first time many HCPSS educators are learning about Student Voice, the decision was made to have more adults at this inaugural event.
14. What if I can’t attend? Will there be other opportunities to learn about Cultural Proficiency and Student Voice?
- Even if you can’t attend, there should be a team from each school attending this premier conference, so connect with participants from your school who attended.
- The Cultural Proficiency Office offers multiple seminars and CPD courses throughout the school year and summer. Here are some options:
- School Cadre Awareness Seminars- Offered to school teams of 10 people with 8 substitutes offered to the school. These are run during the school year for five full days.
- Framework in Action 2- Offered to second year teachers as a part of deepening the understanding of High Expectations, Cultural Competence, and Equity, three cross-cutting themes in the Danielson Framework for Teaching. This is a three-day course that highlights culturally proficient practices in the classroom.
- CPD Awareness Courses- are offered in the evenings during the school year and as a week-long session during the summer. Participants can earn three credits for completing the course.
- Student Voice is highlighted throughout the Awareness seminars and courses. In addition, our Cultural Proficiency Liaisons (CPLs) can share additional information about Student Voice. Please contact the Cultural Proficiency Office to learn more at (410) 313-1542.
15. How should I dress for this event?
- Business Casual.