Schools
School districts are working hard to remove racial predictability in student outcomes. Yet, many districts struggle to develop the relationships and structures necessary to address barriers to success.
Too often, schools and school districts, lead change with training or action planning instead of building the connections to have honest dialogue and understand diverse perspectives. Consequently, the elements of the organization's culture that inhibit effective change remain invisible.
We offer a unique and structured process that begins with dialogue to help staff, students, families, and leaders develop the relationships, awareness, and skills needed to effectively work together and ensure their inclusive policies, culturally relevant practices, and high functioning teams.
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The process is adapted to meet the specific needs of the district or school. Please see a sample of the formats below.
Leadership Teams and Professional Learning Communities
A year-long program that includes a two-day retreat and coaching sessions.
Outcomes include:
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New relationships and skills necessary to engage in racially conscious conversations and culturally proficient decision making.
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Strategies to engage the entire school community in eliminating institutional barriers.
Student/Staff Dialogues
Retreats to help students, staff, and administrators have a meaningful dialogue about barriers to achievement.
Outcomes include:
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Staff gaining a better understanding of the students’ experiences and perspectives on race and school.
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Students and staff develop new relationships and talk together about how race and culture impact teaching and learning.
Student Facilitator Training
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Students learn how to create a safe environment for staff and students to engage in honest and productive dialogue on issues that are impacting relationships and safety in many middle and high schools. Issues include race, culture, immigration, sexual orientation, gender identity and politics.
Principal Advisory Committee
Parents, staff, and administration
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Outcomes include:
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Creating a committee of diverse stakeholders who develop the relationships, skills, and structures necessary to address racial and cultural barriers to achievement and parent engagement.
Spanish Language Dialogue
Facilitated in Spanish and interpreted to English.
Outcomes include:
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Strengthened relationships between parents and staff
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New Latino parent committees that engage more parents
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Improved cultural awareness and new strategies and policies for school staff.
Selected Client
East Hartford Public Schools in Connecticut has approximately 7000 students and 13 schools.
Outcomes include:
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Year-long facilitated dialogue with 50 district leaders to develop the skills to lead through an equity lens
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The creation of a district-wide equity team to identify practices and policies that contribute to challenges
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35 trained district staff who now facilitate dialogues with school-based staff.
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Six dialogue cohorts led by district facilitators
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New awareness and changed practices
“They facilitate rather than direct, support rather than lecture, and guide rather than shame. One of the things that has most impressed me is that they have stayed true to their commitment to making sure our plan reflects our needs.”
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Nathan Quesnel
Superintendent, East Hartford Public Schools
