Implementation of Culturally Responsive Teaching to Increase School Literacy Academic Literacy through Description Text Learning

This study aims to improve the writing skills of descriptive texts of students in class VII A of SMPN 1 Muncar in the 2023/2024 academic year by using the Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) approach. This research tries to overcome the challenges in improving students' writing skills, especially in composing description texts. Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) is an approach that emphasizes the importance of students' cultural background in the learning process. In this study, the CRT approach was applied to create a more inclusive and effective learning environment. The main goal was to improve the quality of description text composition and more deeply engage students in the writing process. This study used a Classroom Action Research design with two cycles, including planning, implementation, observation, and reflection stages. Data were collected through writing assessment, classroom observation, and interviews with students. The results showed a significant improvement in students' description text writing skills. After implementing the CRT approach, students showed improved descriptive writing skills, with a greater focus on cultural nuances and diverse perspectives. The average score increased significantly throughout the two cycles, demonstrating the effectiveness of the CRT approach. In addition, the study also showed that culturally responsive teaching created a more inclusive and culturally aware classroom atmosphere. Students reported increased motivation, confidence and a stronger connection between their cultural background and the writing process. Overall, this study confirms the importance of adopting and implementing the Culturally Responsive Teaching approach to improve students' description text writing skills. It provides valuable insights for educators who want to create a more inclusive and effective language learning environment, improving the overall quality of education and literacy levels at SMPN 1 Muncar.