USD 497’s Equity Journey

Why? Disparities in the achievement and graduation rates of students of color when compared to their white peers Moral imperative: ALL kids deserve an excellent education District Mission: “Lawrence USD 497 is a learning community committed to ensuring educational equity and excellence so that students of all races and backgrounds achieve at high levels and graduate prepared for success in college, careers and life in a diverse and rapidly changing world.”

Racial disparities in graduation rates

Four Agreements What I do when we have a Courageous Conversation: Stay engaged Speak my truth Experience discomfort Expect/accept non-closure

Six Conditions How to have a Courageous Conversation: Focus on personal, local and immediate Isolate race Normalize social construction & examine multiple perspectives to reach critical understanding Monitor agreements, conditions and establish parameters Use a “working definition” for race (skin color) Examine the presence and role of “whiteness”

Key Steps Excellence, equity, engagement goals Educational Equity and Excellence Plan Beyond Diversity training National Summit participation District Equity Leadership Team School Equity Teams Staff of Color support group Equity facilitator School equity participation audits Efforts to recruit, develop and retain a more diverse staff Culturally relevant rubric for curriculum evaluation LGBTQ+ student supports Bond issue to address equitable facilities Learning Forward, Future Ready Personalized learning Equitable access to technology Culturally relevant teaching

Narrowing of Gaps

Graduation Year Total Graduates Non-Graduates 2009 794 609 185 2010 815 676 139 2011 761 647 114 2012 828 737 91 2013 745 670 75 2014 783 720 63 2015 705 649 56

Equity work in our school…