Illinois adopted the Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards in March 2021. The standards come from research-based best practices for closing achievement gaps. Cultural responsiveness improves student outcomes across a range of indicators from math and reading scores to attendance, to postsecondary enrollment. The standards encourage future teachers, administrators, and school support personnel to engage in self-reflection, to get to know their students' families, to connect the curriculum to students' lives, and to support student leadership. The standards will be implemented in educator preparation programs to help aspiring educators build the skills they need to engage all students respective of cultures and identities, to create an environment most conducive to learning.
