May 6, 2019 – The New York State Education Department issued on May 3rd its "Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework." The Framework is intended to help educators create student-centered learning environments that: affirm racial, linguistic and cultural identities; prepare students for rigor and independent learning; develop students' abilities to connect across lines of difference; elevate historically marginalized voices; and empower students as agents of social change.

Elaine Gross, President of Long Island-based ERASE Racism, which is a leading advocate of culturally responsive-sustaining education, issued the following statement on the Framework:

"The need for culturally responsive-sustaining education is a top priority of ERASE Racism, its Education Equity Working Group (comprised of educators and advocates) and its Student Task Force, which recently co-hosted a half-day forum on the topic. The Framework makes a major contribution to advancing this cause and responding to this need.

The Framework opens with a description that is fundamental to education equity and should be widely embraced: "Culturally responsive-sustaining (CR-S) education is grounded in a cultural view of learning and human development in which multiple expressions of diversity (e.g., race, social class, gender, language, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, ability) are recognized and regarded as assets for teaching and learning."

The Framework rightly focuses on four core principles: welcoming and affirming environment; high expectations and rigorous instruction; inclusive curriculum and assessment; and ongoing professional learning. It then offers specific guidelines to help various stakeholders – students, teachers, school leaders, district leaders, families and community members, and others – realize these four principles.

By offering the guidelines to stakeholders, the Framework reveals how all New Yorkers can participate in achieving a culturally responsive-sustaining education. The Framework is, therefore, a vital tool for building the culturally responsive-sustaining education that everyone deserves."

ERASE Racism has a longstanding history of championing education equity – through research and programming focused on combating school segregation and highlighting the benefits of racially integrated environments, where we live and where we learn. Through its Education Equity Initiative, it has been working with students, educators, and now parents, on this vital policy priority.

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