Exploring Cultural Proficiency: School Leaders’ Acceptance of Islam in a Suburban Texas School District

• In Event: Improving School Culture

Abstract

This qualitative case study sought to better understand one Texas school district’s efforts to promote religious cultural proficiency before, during, and after a leadership training and explore how and in what ways this may or may not have improved school leaders perceptions of Islam. This research yielded four findings concerning the range of competencies held (and not
held) by leaders over the course of a year before, during, and after the district-wide religious expression training. The four themes identified through the study are: uninformed perceptions of Islam, leadership actions, use of a common language, and challenges faced toward increasing cultural proficiency.

Authors

• Miriam Deborah Ezzani, University of North Texas

• Melanie Carol Brooks, University of Idaho