Social and cultural capital refers to a collection of elements such as skills, material belongings, credentials, economic resources, access, mannerisms, and opportunities that an individual acquires through being a part of a particular social class. Every child comes to the classroom with varying experiences and different levels of cultural capital. As educators, we must understand how social and cultural capital can impact our students’ understanding of schools policies and systems, access to resources, self-efficacy towards academic achievement, and overall sense of belonging. This presentation provides educators with an understanding of how social and cultural capital impact student success and highlights best practices for maximizing students’ academic and personal success.
