Culturally responsive and sustaining education (CRSE) is an approach to education that seeks to advance educational equity by creating culturally affirming and inclusive learning environments, experiences, and outcomes for each student.

This reference guide helps curriculum developers, curriculum publishers, state education agencies, district leaders, school leaders, and classroom teachers work to ensure that their math curriculum materials are culturally respon­sive and sustaining. It identifies and describes five research- and evidence-based essential characteristics of math curriculum materials that advance CRSE. It then recommends resources aimed at supporting the imple­mentation of CRSE in math and across other content areas.

Key Insights

The five essential characteristics of CRSE math curriculum materials

  1. Affirming racial and cultural identities
  2. Cultivating agency and belonging
  3. Building critical consciousness
  4. Centering diverse perspectives
  5. Centering student learning and academic success

Special thanks to Jahneille Cunningham and Yvonne Allen for contributing to this publication.