Culturally Proficient Society Begins in School

"This is a book I didn′t know I needed until I read it. But now that I have read it, I will read it again and again with my leadership team. The authors have provided some powerful lessons about transformative leadership through personal stories that are moving, compelling and captivating."—Sarah Jerome, SuperintendentArlington Heights School District 25, IL"The authors serve as wonderful role models for young women of color, who will enjoy reading about where the authors come from and how far they have gone. Their insightful stories will contribute to the development of more female leaders in our country."—Daniel Domenech, Executive DirectorAmerican Association of School Administrators"Franco, Ott and Robles share three compelling stories that answer both the why and how questions concerning the urgent need for culturally proficient learning experiences for every American student."—Robert Hill, Director of Education InitiativesThe Ball FoundationThree successful superintendents share how to educate all studentsExtending democracy into schools so that every child has the opportunity to achieve is the topic of many books and conversations. The three Latina superintendents who coauthored this book do more than discuss the issue of equity in education—they live it. They grew up affected by it, taught students who needed it, and changed the minds of those who resisted it. These trailblazing women chronicle their childhoods, careers, and challenges and share their vision to transform schools into places of equity and excellence. They use the lens of cultural proficiency to enhance readers′ understanding of:Barriers to educational opportunity and equityConditions that help promote success for underserved students Ways to leverage culture as an assetLinks between high-quality education for some and excellence for all learnersA Culturally Proficient Society Begins in School is filled with reflective prompts, self-check protocols, and other tools for deep and meaningful professional learning. Not only do these remarkable women serve as role models for students from all cultures, their success stories are a source of inspiration to all educators who aspire to extend the promises of democracy to every North American student.

Carmella S. Franco is a State Trustee appointed by the California State Board of Education to oversee the academically failing Alisal Union Elementary School District in Monterey County. After retiring from twelve years as Superintendent of the Whittier City School District in 2008, Carmella then served for nearly one year as an Interim Superintendent of the Woodland Joint Unified School District. Her thirty-eight years in public education include having served as Director of Personnel, Elementary and Middle School Principal, ESL Specialist and Title VII Director in diverse school district settings, all with high English Language Learner student populations. Carmella’s passion is in ensuring that students of color are provided with every opportunity to succeed, in particular, with access to higher education. She also has co-presented often on the topic of women in educational leadership roles, and currently directs the Association of California School Administrator’s Superintendents Academy in Whittier, California. Maria G. Ott, Ph.D. started a new phase in her distinguished educational career when she joined the USC Rossier School of Education in October 2012.  Maria G. Ott  served more than seven years as Superintendent of the Rowland Unified School District, leading the district through major instructional improvement initiatives and modernization of facilities.   She is nationally known for establishing partnerships with private foundations in support of Rowland Unified and its strategic plan and efforts to reach high levels of literacy and raise student achievement, placing Rowland Unified on the national stage and forefront of educational transformation movements.  Rowland Unified serves the cities of La Puente, Walnut, West Covina, City of Industry, unincorporated Valinda and unincorporated Rowland Heights. Dr. Ott was selected as Superintendent in July 2005, following a national search. Prior to joining Rowland Unified, Dr. Ott served five years as the Senior Deputy Superintendent in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), second in authority to Superintendent Roy Romer, former three-term Governor of Colorado. At USC, Maria G. Ott, Ph.D. serves as Executive in Residence, teaching graduate level courses and participating in Rossier School of Education initiatives.  In her role at USC, Dr. Ott will draw upon her extensive experience as an educator in urban and suburban districts, including her work on cultural proficiency as detailed in her recently released book, A Culturally Proficient Society Begins in School:  Leadership for Equity, with co-authors Carmella S. Franco and Darline P. Robles.  Dr. Ott has presented to national audiences on the topic of her book and continues to contribute to the educational literature about the importance of cultural proficiency in closing achievement gaps. Dr. Ott represents the Rossier School of Education as a member of the Greater Crenshaw Education Partnership Board (GCEP), serving as Vice-C