What Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students in North Queensland Say About Effective Teaching Practices: Measuring Teacher Cultural Competence

• In Event: Indigenous Schools and Schooling in Diverse Democracies

Abstract

The study presents the outcomes of the first two phases of a four phase Australian-based research initiative which seeks to support a better understanding of classroom practices that have value in learning for Aboriginal students. The questions guiding the research are: (1) What do Indigenous students and their parents identify as the pedagogical practices influencing their (child’s) learning? (2) What are the statistically validated factors that are identified as composites of a culturally competent teacher, and to what extent are these represented in classrooms? The presentation concludes by presenting a statistically validated Effective Teaching Profile that is currently being applied in the participant schools to determine if there are teaching practices salient to fostering learning for Indigenous students.

Authors

• Brian Ellis Lewthwaite, James Cook University - Australia

• Helen Joanna Boon, James Cook University - Australia

• Tammi Webber, The Diocese of Catholic Education: Townsville

• Gail Laffin, Catholic Education Office