Term
Fall 2025
Capstone
Capstone Project
Degree Name
MAT
Facilitator(s)
Jana Lo Bello Miller and Betsy Parrish
Content Expert
Agustina Borre and Amanda Cotton
Abstract
This Capstone Project examines how the alignment of Minnesota English Language Arts standards and curriculum merged with a culturally responsive teaching fidelity framework will influence student engagement, academic rigor, and intentional academic discourse among Black fourth-grade scholars in an urban learning community. It is grounded in Ladson-Billings’(1995) and (2009) culturally relevant pedagogy, Hammond’s (2021) culturally responsive teaching with connection to the science of learning and development, as well as Falk and Blumenreich’s (2005) theory regarding cognitive constructivism. This research explores the role of leadership and educators in the implementation of culturally responsive pedagogy with fidelity to create coherence between standards, curriculum, and instructional practice. Literature reveals that when curriculum and standards are intentionally aligned with culturally responsive pedagogical practices, educators are better positioned to elevate student engagement, foster deeper higher-order thinking, and promote meaningful academic discourse. This project study contributes to the academic field by amplifying the experiences of Black fourth-grade scholars, and offers guidance to educators and school leaders who are seeking to implement culturally responsive pedagogy with fidelity and instructional decision-making that is aimed at narrowing the disparaging opportunity gaps. In centering culture, cognition, and academic discourse in my work, this research asserts the importance of culturally responsive pedagogy in alignment with advancing equitable and rigorous ELA instruction.
Project Type
Professional Development
Keywords
At-risk Students, Brain-based Learning, Staff Development, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
Recommended Citation
McClain, Sélah F., "Advocating for Social Justice in 4th Grade ELA Curriculum and Standards: Culturally Responsive Fidelity Frameworks for Leadership and Educators" (2025). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects. 1154.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_cp/1154
dc_type
text
dc_publisher
DigitalCommons@Hamline
dc_format
application/pdf
dc_source
School of Education Student Capstone Projects