Towards classroom inclusivity: exploring K-12 teachers’ sensitivity to cultural diversity ( Hacia la inclusividad en el aula: explorando la sensibilidad a la diversidad cultural del profesorado de K-12 )

Abstract

The study explored teachers’ awareness of classroom cultural diversity using a cross-sectional survey and thematic content document analysis of Ghana’s inclusive education policy and teacher professional development manuals to explore teachers’ cultural diversity awareness. 219 K-12 teachers completed the survey. The study found that teachers are culturally sensitive to working with culturally diverse families and the use of non-standard English. However, most of the teachers have limited general cultural diversity awareness of their classrooms. Consequently, teachers are less culturally sensitive to using multicultural teaching methods and creating a multicultural classroom environment. Further, teachers are less culturally responsive in their assessment practices. Our study also revealed that although teachers were introduced to multicultural education during their initial teacher training programme, within their schools, there was limited ongoing teacher professional development on multicultural education. Results from the thematic content document analysis of the inclusion policy showed that within Ghanaian schools, there are no practical guidelines on how in-service teachers and pre-service teachers can be supported to address cultural diversities in the classroom and schooling contexts.