According to a survey of volunteer coordinators throughout Minnesota,
the Volunteer Issues Committee of Literacy Minnesota identified the
topic of building cultural competence as a priority for 2005-2006. The
areas of priority are addressed and explored in Literacy Minnesota’s
Building Cultural Competence Project. A set of tools has been
compiled to provide as a resource to volunteer coordinators (and
others) in the field of adult literacy. The components of the
project include the following:
Developing a Culturally Sensitive Learning Environment Assessment
This assessment helps programs to assess their learning environment,
looking at factors that make their environment either welcoming or
inhibiting and acts as a checklist to assist in enhancing the
learning environment.
Cultural Competence Self-Assessments
These tools help individuals to explore their own cultural influences
and assess themselves in the area of cultural competence.
Includes: 1) You As a Culturally Diverse Person; 2) Values Clarification.
E-Mail Curriculum Tutor Tips
Monthly curriculum-related tutoring tips that related to cultural
competence will be sent out to coordinators who are on the Minnesota
Literacy Council’s tutoring tips e-mail list.
E-Mail Coordinator Tips
Monthly coordinator-related tips that are related to cultural
competence will be sent out to coordinators who are on the Minnesota
Literacy Council’s coordinator e-mail list. Tips will provide
ideas to make programs inclusive of people from different backgrounds.
Educational Heritages Guides/Website
Educational heritages guides will be available for different countries
that adult English language learners come from. These guides
include:
Country Reports with research-based information about the educational system of each country.
Oral History Project with learner stories and personal interviews
of Minnesota learners, focusing on their experiences with education
before coming to Minnesota.
A list of cultural resources (includes websites and organizations)
