1. Improving Achievement and Closing Gaps in Urban School Districts Dr. Adrienne D. Dixson University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign October 3, 2014

2. State of Urban Education Increasing levels of poverty Increasing levels of poverty Generational poverty Generational poverty Middle class families falling into poverty. Middle class families falling into poverty. Poverty disproportionately impacts African Americans, esp. Black women regardless of ed background Poverty disproportionately impacts African Americans, esp. Black women regardless of ed background

3. State of Urban Eduation Increase in charter schools and alternatively trained teachers and administrators in high poverty school districts, i.e. Philadelphia, New Orleans, Detroit, Memphis, Chicago Increase in charter schools and alternatively trained teachers and administrators in high poverty school districts, i.e. Philadelphia, New Orleans, Detroit, Memphis, Chicago

4. New Orleans System of Systems

5. New Orleans System of System

6. State of Urban Education Unstable “public” school system Unstable “public” school system Loss and displacement of local educators Loss and displacement of local educators Transient teaching force Transient teaching force Disenfranchised public Disenfranchised public Not financially sustainable Not financially sustainable Disinvestment in public good and public services Disinvestment in public good and public services

7. State of Urban Education Demographic imbalance and mismatch Race and gender of teachers—majority white and female (82% nationally) Race and gender of teachers—majority white and female (82% nationally) Student population in public schools— increasingly predominantly students of color (52% nationally) Student population in public schools— increasingly predominantly students of color (52% nationally)

8. Activity On your index card, take a few minutes and jot down your thoughts on this question: On your index card, take a few minutes and jot down your thoughts on this question: What impacts student success in your district? What impacts student success in your district? With a partner or two With a partner or two Share and discuss your responses Share and discuss your responses

9. Activity With your partners: Create a common list that includes your and your partner’s responses Create a common list that includes your and your partner’s responses Write a brief description of a “typical” student in your district. Select one person in your group to represent that student Write a brief description of a “typical” student in your district. Select one person in your group to represent that student

10. Activity Divide your list of what impacts students success into two categories: Divide your list of what impacts students success into two categories: What can you & your district control? What can you & your district control? What can’t you & your district control? What can’t you & your district control?

11. Questions?

12. Thank you! Dr. Adrienne D. Dixson dixsonconsulting@gmail.com addixson@illinois.edu 614-602-7614(cell) 217-244-4741 (office) Twitter: @AdrienneDDixson