A Changed and Changing World: Re/Considering Culturally Responsive Practices and Educational Policy

The purpose of this commentary is to re/energize our social justice commitments in education by advancing the conscious consideration of critical educational policy to expand and sustain culturally responsive practices within educational practices and leadership. For purposes of this argument, the author examines the Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBEs) Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading (CRTL) Standards. Following the tracing of ISBEs CRTL standards, this article concludes with considerations for the authentic adoption of culturally responsive practices and policies in both districts and colleges of education to break from the past, reject “business as usual,” and re/envision authentic culturally responsive practices in PreK-12 schools.