H.F. 297 Section 1. Section 272.2, subsection 1, Code 2015, is 1 amended by adding the following new paragraph: 2 NEW PARAGRAPH . c. Establish the completion of one unit 3 of cultural competency as one of the six units required for 4 renewal of a standard license. For purposes of this paragraph, 5 “cultural competency” means awareness and understanding of 6 the values, lifestyles, history, and contributions of various 7 identifiable cultural groups in society; recognizing and 8 dealing with dehumanizing biases such as sexism, racism, 9 prejudice, and discrimination and raising awareness of the 10 impact that such biases have on interpersonal relations; 11 recognizing the ways in which dehumanizing biases may be 12 reflected in instructional materials; and acquiring strategies 13 to manage students from different cultures in a classroom 14 setting. 15 EXPLANATION 16 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 17 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 18 This bill directs the board of educational examiners to 19 establish the completion of one unit of cultural competency 20 as one of the six units required for renewal of a standard 21 license. For purposes of the bill, “cultural competency” means 22 awareness and understanding of the values, lifestyles, history, 23 and contributions of various identifiable cultural groups in 24 society; recognizing and dealing with dehumanizing biases such 25 as sexism, racism, prejudice, and discrimination and raising 26 awareness of the impact that such biases have on interpersonal 27 relations; recognizing the ways in which dehumanizing biases 28 may be reflected in instructional materials; and acquiring 29 strategies to manage students from different cultures in a 30 classroom setting. 31 -1- LSB 2043YH (7) 86 kh/rj 1/ 1