Education at its core is about equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and tools to determine their own futures and transform society toward liberation.

Schools that neither value, center, and honor the rich cultures and knowledge of their diverse students, nor foster critical consciousnesses, are depriving students of a true, quality education. 

Youth, parents, educators and communities have fought for culturally responsive education (CRE) since public education began. In recent years, while attacks on public education continue to grow, there has also been major momentum in the fight for CRE and Ethnic Studies (ES). Fifteen California school districts have passed Ethnic Studies high school requirements, many states such as Connecticut and Oregon have passed statewide legislation, and New York City continues to expand culturally responsive education in teacher development and book lists. 

All students deserve a quality education, with curriculum and content reflective of their identities, and school environments that are safe and supportive. 

CRE Hub provides the history, tools, and resources to contextualize and build the movement for culturally responsive education and ethnic studies. 

all Students deserve a culturally responsive education.

Students deserve a rigorous education that embodies their diversity and centers the true greatness of who they are. They deserve a quality public education that honors their cultures, backgrounds, and communities. Their education should connect academic learning to their lives, passions, and struggles outside of school. From racism to harsh discipline policies, public schools are full of inequities that impact students’ lives every day.

We need culturally responsive education to transform schooling towards equity.

Hear firsthand stories from parents, educators, and youth about the fight for and importance of CRE in their lives.

CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE EDUCATION

When students are fully seen, supported, and affirmed in their unique identities and experiences, they go on and do great things.

Culturally Responsive Education (CRE) advances equity and social justice by: 

1. Centering and valuing students’ cultures and identities

2. Using rigorous and relevant curriculum, and anti-oppressive teaching practices

3. Building strong, positive relationships between students, families, and school staff

4. Supporting students to develop the knowledge, skills, and vision to transform the world toward liberation

I want all my students to feel seen in the classroom, to be seen in the curriculum. I want my daughter not to wonder if people that look like her made contributions to the world.

— Aaron Harris, NYC High School English teacher

Mapping Culturally responsive education
& Ethnic studies across the country

Over the past decades grassroots groups, in partnership with elected officials, have fought to have Ethnic Studies and culturally responsive education (CRE) recognized at the local, state, and national level. The Ethnic Studies Legislation Database below highlights victories for legislation across the country that supports Ethnic Studies and CRE. It also includes historical and present-day fights, schools, and districts that have implemented Ethnic Studies and CRE. 

Click on the points on the map to learn more. You can click on the square icon on the top left to filter the map by legislation category. For in-depth information of each of these pieces, visit the drive here.

We want the creation and maintenance of this database to be a collaborative effort with communities. If you know of any Ethnic, Indigenous, or LGBTQ+ Studies efforts that aren’t included here, please help us add them by emailing us at nyu-ejroc@nyu.edu