Researcher's Perspective Moving Toward a Culturally Competent Model of Education: Preliminary Results of a Study of Culturally Responsive Teaching in an American Indian Community

Abstract

The Purnell Model for Cultural Competence emerged as a framework for organizing clinical assessment for student nurses (Purnell, 2002). In an effort to meet the needs of the American Indian population in the Northeast Oklahoma region, Pittsburg State University (PSU) sought to train a cohort of future teacher librarians using a revised model of the Purnell Model for Cultural Competence. At present, PSU's program is focusing on embedding the revised model with an American Indian audience. This study shares preliminary results of an ongoing research study. As data return from students, educational planners embedding the model into university curriculum are beginning to understand its benefits for all involved.