1. Cultural Competency The ability to work effectively across cultures in a way that acknowledges and respects the culture of the person or organization being served. J. H. Hanley (1999) - Beyond the tip of the Iceberg: Five Stages toward cultural competence

2. Cultural Competency Continuum Cultural Destructiveness Individual or groups refuse to acknowledge the presence or importance of cultural differences in the teaching/learning process Any perceived or real differences from the dominant mainstream culture are punished or suppressed J. L. Mason, M. P. Benjamin, & S. A. Lewis (1993) – The cultural competence model: Implications for child and family mental health services.

3. Cultural Competency Continuum Cultural Incapacity Cultural differences are neither punished nor supported The individual or organization chooses to ignore differences There is no attention, time, teaching, or resources devoted to understanding and supporting cultural differences J. L. Mason, M. P. Benjamin, & S. A. Lewis (1993) – The cultural competence model: Implications for child and family mental health services.

4. Cultural Competency Continuum Cultural Blindness Individual or organization actively proffers the idea that cultural differences are inconsequential and of no importance Cultural differences may be noted, but being color blind (and culture blind) is the desired state. No resources, attention, or time are devoted to understanding cultural differences J. L. Mason, M. P. Benjamin, & S. A. Lewis (1993) – The cultural competence model: Implications for child and family mental health services.

5. Cultural Competency Continuum Cultural Pre-competence Teachers, learners, and organizations recognize and respond to cultural differences and attempt to redress non-liberating structures, teaching practices, and inequities Individuals and organizations recognize the need for cultural competency and this serves as a first step in extirpating some of the debilitating practices that limit the educational progress of diverse learners J. L. Mason, M. P. Benjamin, & S. A. Lewis (1993) – The cultural competence model: Implications for child and family mental health services.

6. Cultural Competency Continuum Cultural Competence Organizations and individuals learn to value cultural differences and attempt to find ways to celebrate, encourage, and respond to differences within and among themselves Teachers and students explore issues or equity, cultural history and knowledge, social justice, and privilege and power relations in our society J. L. Mason, M. P. Benjamin, & S. A. Lewis (1993) – The cultural competence model: Implications for child and family mental health services.

7. Cultural Competency Educational leaders who are not culturally competent cannot be fully effective. Institute for Educational Leadership (2005) – Preparing and supporting diverse, culturally competent leaders: Practice and policy considerations

8. Cultural Competency Culturally competent leaders work to understand their own biases as well as patterns of discrimination. They have the skills to mitigate the attendant negative effects on student achievement and the personal courage and commitment to persist. Institute for Educational Leadership (2005) – Preparing and supporting diverse, culturally competent leaders: Practice and policy considerations

9. Cultural Competency Much of what culturally competent leaders must know and be able to do is learned in relationships with families and communities. Institute for Educational Leadership (2005) – Preparing and supporting diverse, culturally competent leaders: Practice and policy considerations

10. Cultural Competency Culturally competent leadership develops over time and needs to be supported from preparation through practice. Creating collaborative frameworks structures can be useful. Institute for Educational Leadership (2005) – Preparing and supporting diverse, culturally competent leaders: Practice and policy considerations

11. Cultural Competency State and local policies need to build a sense of urgency about preparing culturally competent leaders. Institute for Educational Leadership (2005) – Preparing and supporting diverse, culturally competent leaders: Practice and policy considerations