**DO NOT USE AI GENERATED TEXT**
We all agree that educational programs need to adhere to standards. Because state standards are so diverse across the United States, the early childhood field is moving towards developing state-specific rating systems. These systems, known as quality rating and improvement systems (QRIS) will monitor quality across all the early education programs. Currently, few states focus on the cultural competence within their QRIS framework. In this discussion, you will explore how you can support culturally competent policies and equitable practices in your own educational setting.
PART ONE:
To prepare for this discussion:
Read Chapter 6 of the course text. Curenton, S. M., & Iruka, I. U. (2024). Cultural competence in early childhood education (updated ed.). The University of Arizona Global Campus. (ATTACHED)
Read Building the System for Equity https://info.teachstone.com/blog/building-the-system-for-equity
Explore QRIS for the state that you work in at State Information USE TEXAS: https://ecquality.acf.hhs.gov/states
In your initial post,
Identify if the state you currently or plan to work in participates in the QRIS system. (USE TEXAS)
Share any culturally competent policies that currently exist in your workplace or state.
Explain three key components of anti-bias/multicultural/culturally competent care and education that you think must be incorporated into all QRIS systems. Explain using research to support your thinking.
Describe how you can “speak up” for culturally diverse children and families that may not have a strong voice within your workplace/state.
PART TWO:
Guided Response: Review several of your peers’ responses. Respond to at least two peers and provide recommendations to strengthen their explanation of the components that they think must be incorporated into the QRIS based on the knowledge you have gained in this course.
FIRST CLASSMATE: Saquana
Identify if the state you currently or plan to work in participates in the QRIS system.
The current state I live in is Hawaii. Hawaii does participate in the QRIS. However, I didn’t find too much information. Link https://ecquality.acf.hhs.gov/Links to an external site.
Share any culturally competent policies that currently exist in your workplace or state.
At my child development center, during on boarding process I was informed that they don’t discriminate in the workplace including race, color, sex, religion and if you have a disability.
Explain three key components of anti-bias/multicultural/culturally competent care and education that you think must be incorporated into all QRIS systems. Explain using research to support your thinking.
Three key components of anti-bias/multicultural/culturally competent care and education that I think must be incorporated into all QRIS systems are nurturing individual identity, fairness and justice and culturally competent engagement. Nurturing individual identity is for the teacher to nurture and develop each child. It’s important for children to cultivate a sense of inner strength and pride. Fairness and justice I believe will ensure that all children, regardless of their background, have equal access to education. Culturally competent engagement should be incorporated because it will ensure that early childhood education programs welcome all children and their families regardless of race or background.
Describe how you can “speak up” for culturally diverse children and families that may not have a strong voice within your workplace/state.
How I can speak up for culturally diverse children and families that may not have a strong voice within my workplace/state is being an advocate. Advocate for implementing policies in my workplace/state. Also raise awareness by having meetings to hear the people out so that issues can be resolved. It won’t happen overnight, but it is worth the fight and taking a stand.
SECOND CLASSMATE: CRYSTAL
Hello Classmates,
As a resident of Texas, our legislation has provided us with a QRIS framework, developed rules, and charged a Texas Rising Star (TRS) program. Here is a linkLinks to an external site. to review this further if you are interested.
At our Charter school, we currently need to have culturally competent policies in place. We have a language proficiency assessment committee that meets when we have a new student enroll, indicating if their language is a language other than English spoken in the home. If parents agree, we offer a pull-out program to help the students with academic support. We also have started a Character Counts to address pillars such as integrity, truthfulness, respect, etc.
Three key components of anti-bias/multicultural/culturally competent care and education must be incorporated into all QRIS systems: 1. Nurture and develop positive identity. Children with a strong sense of self-worth and identity are more resilient in dealing with prejudice and discrimination; 2. Cultivating children’s ability to stand up for themselves and others when facing bias. Educating children about fairness, empathy, and justice can empower children to identify and challenge prejudice and discrimination when they encounter it. 3. Promoting positive interaction between children of various cultures. Developing a culturally diverse and inclusive classroom environment where children can interact and collaborate with students from different cultural backgrounds fosters understanding, empathy, and respect for diversity. The University of California, Santa Barbara, has published a great article that supports these key components as a foundation for fostering an anti-bias education. UCSB states, “Anti-bias curriculum is a process to help children develop and strengthen their self-identity and group identities while interacting respectfully with others in a multicultural environment” (Culturally Relevant Anti Bias Education | Early Childhood Care & Education Services, n.d.).
I can speak up for culturally diverse children and families who may not have a strong voice by listening to and understanding their perspectives and concerns, creating opportunities to collaborate, getting feedback, and validating their feelings. Additionally, I can raise awareness among staff and administration about their challenges and concerns and help address equity issues.
