Culturally Responsive Education Curriculum Development

This case study details the collaboration between the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) and Public Consulting Group (PCG) to enhance the English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum. The project aimed to address gaps in representation for diverse student populations, including Latinos, Asian-Americans, Pacific Islanders, and students with disabilities. The NYCDOE identified the need for culturally responsive and sustaining education (CR-SE) practices within existing curriculum materials. The initiative involved supplementing the core curriculum with 39 K-12 CR-SE modeling ELA mini-units designed to elevate diverse voices. The project established clear goals and developed guiding resources aligned with CR-SE rubrics. Collaboration with PCG experts facilitated the production of manuscripts, lesson plans, and teaching materials. The outcome included a comprehensive CR-SE-aligned curriculum, over 400 lesson plans, and a variety of modern texts, ensuring that students could see their identities reflected in the educational materials they engage with throughout the academic year.