Date Approved
12-2-2025
Graduate Degree Type
Project
Degree Name
Education-Instruction and Curriculum: Secondary Education (M.Ed.)
Degree Program
College of Education
First Advisor
Sherie Klee
Academic Year
2025/2026
Abstract
Schools are meant to provide all students with equal opportunities to achieve academic success in the classroom yet as the student bodies of American schools becomes increasingly diverse, students of color are achieving academic success at lower rates than their peers. This in part may be due to the growing cultural disparity between teachers and students as the majority of teachers are white. By implementing culturally relevant teaching (CRT) teachers will be more prepared to address this cultural disparity and better equipped to create classroom spaces and lessons that better meet the needs of a diverse body of learners. CRT encourages teachers to utilize resources that reflect their students’ cultural backgrounds and lived experiences. In doing so, students are more likely to demonstrate greater engagement, increased critical thinking, and overall, more meaningful discussions during lessons. As a result of this increased engagement, all students have a better chance of performing better academically. However, for students of color in particular, CRT makes it possible to greatly reduce the current academic gap and achieve greater rates of academic success.
ScholarWorks Citation
Bowman, Arienne, "Addressing the Ethnic Achievement Gap through Culturally Relevant Teaching" (2025). Culminating Experience Projects. 661.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/gradprojects/661
