In line with the Department of Education’s Title II programming, UPstander International provides professional development geared towards increasing academic achievement by improving teacher and principal quality. UPstander International concentrates in the areas of cultural competence as well as issues of black male achievement. Increasing the effectiveness of teachers and principals is seen as key to meeting the challenges of increased diversity in classrooms. UPstander International trains educators on strategies to decrease the educational gaps that exist in our current educational environment. Depending on the needs of the school, part of this professional development concentrates on black males.
Using long term data which indicate that young black males are under-represented in rigorous instruction, gifted and talented programs, honors/AP courses and International Baccalaureate programs and over-represented in discipline referrals and suspension/expulsion rates, this workshop examines the societal perceptions of young black males that perpetuate racial disparities in education. Participants build their cultural competence to develop a learning environment that fosters academic success for young black males. The premise for the workshop is that if educators can gain the cultural competence requisite to reach their black male students, they develop the competencies needed to reach all of their students.
*This training has also been expanded to include Hispanic males.
