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At the Pennsylvania Education Diversity Consortium (PEDC), Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education (CRSE) is a cornerstone of our mission to promote equity in education. CRSE equips educators to create inclusive, affirming classrooms that reflect the diverse identities, cultures, and experiences of their students. Grounded in research and designed for impact, CRSE supports academic success, student engagement, and meaningful connections between schools and communities.
As leaders in CRSE implementation across Pennsylvania and beyond, PEDC is challenging the status quo. We’re transforming education by providing the tools, training, and partnerships educators need to bring equity to life in their classrooms.
Jeremy Chan-Kraushar, Director of the CRSE Leadership Institute speaks at a CRSE event
Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education (CRSE) is a transformative approach to teaching and learning that affirms students’ identities, engages them in meaningful learning, and sustains the cultural knowledge and practices of communities. At its core, CRSE values the diversity of students’ lived experiences as essential to academic success and school belonging.
The CRSE Competencies offer a clear, actionable framework for educators to reflect on and improve their teaching practice. Co-authored by PEDC and a team of educators, leaders, and advocates across Pennsylvania, there are nine competencies for educators:
Create space for honest dialogue that helps people recognize their own biases—both conscious and unconscious—and reflect on how they support every student’s success.
Recognize systemic biases within educational institutions and actively work to challenge and dismantle these inequities.
Respect and integrate the real-world experiences, identities, and perspectives of learners, educators, families, and communities, while challenging assumptions and creating learning spaces that foster critical thinking, advocacy, and collaboration.
Make fair and equitable instructional and assessment decisions to ensure all learners, especially historically marginalized groups, have access to the resources, opportunities, and support they need to succeed academically and socially.
Value diversity as an asset, show respect for all learners and families, and create an environment where students reflect on their own experiences with bias while developing responsibility for addressing discrimination and injustice.
Believe every family wants the best for their children, value them as essential partners, and recognize the unique factors shaping how they interact with schools, while prioritizing inclusive engagement and addressing systems that marginalize diverse families.
Honor the role of culture in communication, using diverse methods to connect with families in their preferred language and supporting all learners' right to express themselves in their home language and dialects.
Set high expectations for all students, especially Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) learners, while fostering authentic relationships and creating positive, creative learning environments that support self-esteem, agency, and accountability for each learner’s success.
Acknowledge the harm caused by microaggressions, educate themselves [educators] on their impact, and take responsibility for creating inclusive, affirming learning spaces free of harmful behaviors, while actively reflecting and addressing biases in themselves [educators] and others.
Whether you’re looking to learn more about our initiatives, need assistance, or just want to connect—let's talk. Your questions and feedback are important to us, and we’re eager to hear from you!
PEDC was proud to co-author the CRSE Competencies in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Since their launch, these competencies have guided districts and educators in implementing CRSE-informed teaching.
In 2022, PDE introduced the CRSE guidelines under Chapter 354. The framework aimed to promote cultural awareness and address systemic biases in education, fostering more inclusive and equitable learning environments. However, after a lawsuit in 2023 challenging the guidelines, PDE rescinded them in 2024.
In response, PDE introduced the Common Ground Framework, which is optional for districts, and provides flexibility while emphasizing trauma-informed practices, mental health, and technology. Currently, districts can choose any framework that aligns with PDE’s guidelines. While the Common Ground Framework offers flexibility, the PEDC CRSE Framework remains a strong option due to its comprehensive focus on cultural awareness and its benefits in fostering deeper inclusivity and equity in educational settings.
Acknowledge the harm caused by microaggressions, educate themselves [educators] on their impact, and take responsibility for creating inclusive, affirming learning spaces free of harmful behaviors, while actively reflecting and addressing biases in themselves [educators] and others.
When educators acknowledge students' identities, histories, cultures, and communities, remarkable things take place. Research shows CRSE enhances student engagement, academic achievement, and a sense of belonging, especially for historically marginalized groups.1 CRSE goes beyond improved teaching; it’s about creating classrooms where every student’s culture, history, and potential are recognized and valued.
Research shows that when Black students are taught by Black teachers, their academic achievement significantly improves, with measurable gains in test scores.2 Studies demonstrate that CRSE is particularly effective when paired with a diverse educator workforce. When educators reflect the diversity of their students, the positive outcomes are even more pronounced, helping students from all backgrounds succeed, from kindergarten through to college and careers.
This impact highlights the critical importance of recruiting and retaining a diverse teacher workforce alongside adopting CRSE-aligned practices. PEDC’s mission reinforces that educator diversity and CRSE must go hand in hand to create a truly equitable educational experience for all students.
CRSE encourages educators to examine their own cultural perspectives while deeply understanding and appreciating the diverse cultures present in their classrooms. This approach fosters a more inclusive learning space where every student’s unique experiences are seen as an asset, deepening the connection and trust between students and educators.
Additionally, CRSE empowers students to think critically about the world around them and recognize their power to challenge inequities. It encourages them to take action, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to thrive academically and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.
PEDC is proud to lead the way in defining, supporting, and scaling CRSE across Pennsylvania and beyond. Here’s how we’re doing it:
A dynamic professional learning experience that equips education leaders with the tools, skills, and network to champion CRSE in their schools and systems.
A growing collection of resources, research, tools, and classroom examples to support educators at every stage of their CRSE journey.
A practical tool to help schools assess and advance their implementation of CRSE practices.
Click here to download the Rubric ➤Designed with educators, for educators. These toolkits will offer ready-to-use guidance for integrating CRSE in curriculum design, classroom culture, and school leadership. (Full toolkits coming soon!)
A collaborative, statewide team of practitioners and thought partners who guide PEDC’s CRSE initiatives and offer peer-reviewed insights and strategy recommendations.
PEDC’s work in CRSE has earned national recognition, from summit participants representing Canada, Germany, and across the U.S., to our Co-Executive Directors being featured speakers at leading conferences on equity and education.
This work thrives through collaboration, with PEDC acting as a catalyst for innovative ideas and strategic partnerships. We are proud to work with universities, state agencies, and national organizations to move this work forward. From co-leading research initiatives with Public Agenda to co-developing Communities of Practice with Temple University’s College of Education, we are building a future where CRSE is the standard—not the exception.
PEDC is proud to lead the way in defining, supporting, and scaling CRSE across Pennsylvania and beyond. Here’s how we’re doing it:
An approach to teaching that affirms students' identities, engages them in meaningful learning, and sustains their cultural knowledge and practices. It emphasizes the importance of incorporating students' lived experiences into educational spaces to promote equity and belonging.
A set of guidelines and practices designed to help educators reflect on their teaching and create more inclusive, culturally-relevant learning environments. These competencies focus on areas such as addressing bias, fostering community relationships, and promoting high expectations for all learners.
The state agency responsible for overseeing public education in Pennsylvania. PDE worked with PEDC to develop and implement the CRSE framework and guidelines.
A flexible framework introduced by PDE in 2024, after the revoking of the original CRSE guidelines. It emphasizes cultural awareness, trauma-informed practices, mental health, and technology while allowing school districts to choose frameworks that best suit their needs.
A term that acknowledges and focuses on the experiences of racial and ethnic minorities, especially those who have historically been marginalized and underrepresented.
Subtle, often unintentional, everyday actions or comments that can perpetuate discrimination or bias. These can affect marginalized individuals' mental and emotional well-being over time.
Educational practices that recognize and respond to the impact of trauma on students' learning and behavior, focusing on creating safe, supportive environments.
