2. TOPIC PROPOSAL
The topic I am proposing for my capstone project is selecting culturally
relevant texts in secondary classrooms.
This is topic is significant in terms of literacy instruction, curriculum and is
an area of growth for my current school. The data supports the need for
our disaggregate groups to be more engaged with their literacy
instruction.
3. TOPIC SUMMARY
This topic is relevant to literacy instruction and curriculum because in
terms of students that are considered minorities and males are falling
behind in their literacy development and are being significantly out
performed by their peers. While this can be attributed to numerous
factors, one that stands out is culturally relevant text selection.
By changing the texts we are selecting for our classes we will be able to
see an increase of engagement among students, topics that are more
relevant to their lives, decrease in negative classroom behaviors and a
deeper understanding of the content being covered.
4. PLAN OF COMPLETION
Professional Development – Design professional development on the
importance and rationale behind the selection of texts within courses.
This would include research based practices, discussion and planning
time for teachers with guided supports.
Modifications to Curriculum – Pilot new texts within established
curriculums that align to Common Core standards and assessments.
Resource – Create an electronic database of texts and a list of website
tools that will aid teachers in their text selection and help ease the
stress of finding rigorous texts that will fit curriculums.
5. IMPLICATIONS OF PRACTICE
By emphasizing culturally relevant text selection, this will have a direct
correlation with student growth and engagement with literacy among
our lowest performing sub-groups.
Furthermore, it will change students’ feelings and attitudes towards literacy
in school.
It is a small factor within literacy instruction, but it will have a far reaching
impact on students.
By providing training and resources for teachers around the topic, it will
ease fear and anxiety of “extra work” and help align the text with the
standards making it accessible to all educators.
