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Implicit Bias and Cultural Sensitivity Training

Implicit bias refers to attitudes or stereotypes that affect individuals’ understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. These biases, which encompass both favorable and unfavorable assessments, are activated involuntarily and without an individual’s awareness or intentional control. Effective school leaders prioritize implicit bias training to ensure cultural sensitivity so that predictability of academic success or failure based on social, economic, or cultural factors are inconsequential. By prioritizing implicit bias training, school leaders support development of cultural sensitivity as a precursor to culturally responsive pedagogy. Through implementation of implicit bias training, school leaders advance culturally responsive teaching methods that mitigate unfavorable biases and improve student outcomes.