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Heritage University (Toppenish,
WA)
Exemplary
Multicultural Practices in Rural Education
Summary
For 15 years, Heritage College has partnered with middle and secondary
schools in the Yakima Valley of Eastern Washington to design and implement
multicultural programs aimed at raising cultural awareness and respect
among students, administrators, faculty members, staff, parents, and community
members.
The Practice
Heritage College faculty, staff, and administrators partner with local
schools and the local community in presenting a program of multicultural
education. The program, entitled the Exemplary Multicultural Practices
in Rural Education (EMPIRE), is overseen by a 12-member Advisory Committee
which sets policies and conducts assessments. The Advisory Committee is
chosen from all segments of the education community. Current members include
the superintendent of the Yakama Nation Tribal School, the assistant superintendent
of the Sunnyside School District, the principal of Selah Junior High School,
the assistant principal of Franklin Middle School, the director of the
Equity & Diversity Center at Edmonds Community College, the Safe,
Civil & Drug Free Schools Project Coordinator of Educational Service
District 105, a retired Juvenile Court manager, teachers from the Yakama
Nation Tribal School and West Valley High School, the parent coordinator
for the Wapato School District, and Heritage College's administrators
(the vice president for academic affairs, the dean of education and psychology,
the assistant vice president for community relations, and the EMPIRE administrator.
The schools which choose to participate in the program are required to
appoint a local team of a minimum of four people, three of whom must be
a teacher, a school administrator, and a community representative. These
teams plan the multicultural activities for their schools. They pay a
$1,000 annual membership fee, but that fee is returned to the schools
to fund their activities. Each fall the College's EMPIRE director and
members of the College faculty organize a day and a half retreat for the
member schools' development of their action plans and the sharing of ideas.
The College provides faculty and staff speakers to assist the process.
Each school receives a copy of the other schools' plans at the end of
the retreat. In the spring, an annual conference of speakers and workshops
is planned by the College's staff and faculty. This conference gives the
participants the opportunity to share what they do, how they do it, and
what has been successful. The College personnel are available at the conference
for consultation, for sharing resources, and for moral support.
Effectiveness
In the 2000 and 2001 academic year, surveys were distributed to the staff
and students at three middle schools. The survey results reported that:
- Discipline referrals had declined
- Stereotypes were breaking down
- Cross-cultural friendships had been formed
- Members of rival groups were working and playing together for the
first time
- Parental involvement had more than tripled
- Community relations had improved
Staff and faculty members noted significant improvements on almost every
indicator of multicultural attitudes and practices at their schools. For
example, 62 percent agreed in 2000 that concerns about diversity were
handled promptly, effectively, and fairly; 74 percent agreed in 2001.
To the question, "Our school utilizes educational materials that
are free from bias," the percentages moved from 72 percent to 89
percent. In 2000, 78 percent of the faculty said they knew and practiced
a variety of teaching strategies appropriate for diverse learners; in
2001, 93 percent so reported.
Resources
More information on the EMPIRE program can be found on Heritage College's
website. The information
is in the Community Partnerships page, under Children/Families. Information
can also be attained by contacting Delma Johnson, EMPIRE Administrator,
by calling 509-865-8625 or emailing Johnson_D@heritage.edu.
Contact Information
Bertha Ortega
Heritage College
3240 Fort Road
Toppenish, WA 98948
Phone: (509) 865-8529
Ortega_b@heritage.edu
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