Ripple Effects Reduce Disproportionality Webinar Robert L. Kirton Ed.D. Chief Educational Officer, CEO

Understand and Define your Disproportionate Issues What does Disproportionality Look Like in your System? Black Males Black Females Hispanic Males Who is Overrepresented Referrals Suspension/Expulsions Special Ed Who is Underrepresented Academic Celebrations Community Service Graduation

Understand and Define your DNA What are your Distinguishing Practices/Strengths? Comprehensive PBIS/MTSS Parental/Community Involvement Students/Staff What are your Needs and Challenges?   Achievement Behavior Climate What Action Steps can you taken to reduce Disproportionality? Enhance ISS Audit Policies and Practices Develop Programs that Engage

Understand the Contributing Factors Student Risk Factors Adverse childhood experiences Learning disabilities Exposure to negative peer pressure Parent/Family Risk Factors Poor family-school relationships Mobility Housing Educator/School Risk Factors Leadership and Team Building Teacher preparedness/qualifications School condition/environment Community Risk Factors Poverty Violence Apathy

Take a Comprehensive Approach Student Approach: Help Students to take ownership Build on Strengths Address Underlying Issues Parent Approach: Treat parents as partners Provide opportunities for parents to be involved Provide resources for parents at home Educator Approach: Get educators out of the box Build On Strengths Provide Training, Tools and Resources Community Approach: Collaboration Involvement Community Building

Focus Your Efforts for Success Build on Leadership and Team Building Needs Assessments/Policy Audits Conflict Resolution Team Trust Implement Innovative Programs ISS Program Near Peer Mentoring Research and Evidenced Based Improve Facilities and Technology Curb Appeal Safety and Security Technology Integration Target Your Resources Grant Writing Strategic Abandonment Look for Sustainable Resources

Successful ISS Programs Must be made a priority by Administration Must be appropriately staffed with qualified educator Must have set policies and procedures that students are aware of and that staff consistently follow Must include a plan to involve teachers in the academic and behavioral process Must incorporate a behavioral intervention component that can be efficiently implemented and individualized to student needs (Cooper, 2014)

Addressing Causes of Disproportionate Referrals True behavior differences often related to skill deficits Policies are too vague Unconscious bias: differences in expectations and perception Discriminatory treatment: data is clear – it happens, same behavior is treated differently

Strategies to Improve your ABC’s Achievement-Behavior-Climate Community Service Learning Informal peer panels/hearings Leadership and Team Building Victim-offender mediation Mentoring (peer and adult) Restitution In school detention and suspension Intensive in-school supervision Alternative dispute/conflict resolution Community service can be in school or in the community (good way to engage community leaders and businesses) peer panels allows students to be apart of and to inform the disciplinary process which gives them ownership

Strategies to Improve your ABC’s Structured and data driven decision making Less punitive and more equitable practices Youth/family informed and focused policies and practices Cross departmental/agency collaboration and partnerships Financial incentives Top-down, bottom-up commitment Cultural competency training for school staff Classroom behavior management training Culturally appropriate services and supports Counseling/therapy for students and parents

Chief Educational Officer, CEO QUESTIONS? Robert L. Kirton Ed.D. Chief Educational Officer, CEO www.DNAsupport.us 855-518-1777