AFRICAN-AMERICAN EQUITY TASK FORCE
Board of Education| May 30, 2017
AGENDA
Session Overview
Process to Progress
Panel Discussion
Next Phase
SESSION OVERVIEW
Denver Plan 2020 Goal #5: Close the Opportunity Gap
- Challenges and dissatisfaction in the Bailey Report led to the commissioning of the African-American Equity Task Force.
Today’s Objectives:
- Shared understanding of African-American Equity Task Force process
- Shared understanding of recommendations
- Shared understanding of phases and next steps
- Invite feedback
AGENDA
Session Overview
Process to Progress
Panel Discussion
Next Phase
We will collaboratively develop and present a set of prioritized recommendations that will mitigate the negative factors and leverage the positive factors in order to close the opportunity gap for our students and educators.
PROCESS TO PROGRESS
What we accomplished
• Identified 6 key areas of focus to advance equity for all DPS students, families and employees
• Formed a task force of dedicated district and community members and started to build trust across sectors
• Conducted “Community Meetings” for stakeholders and for participants to share progress and get feedback
• Collaborated with many departments to get historical and relevant data to inform conversations and decisions
What we learned
• Work like this needs to be done with the community not to the community
• Partnering to address the root causes - just as important as taking action to implement the recommendations
• We need clarified and consistent strategies to build the knowledge and skill for cultural competency
OVERARCHING RECOMMENDATION
In order to ensure accountability, transparency and success in the implementation of the African-American Equity Task Force recommendations, the Steering Committee proposes the following overarching recommendation:
Denver Public Schools should provide funding for the creation of an African-American Equity Team that will insure the African-American Equity Agreement is upheld, effectively implemented and evaluated on an ongoing basis.
- Specific Actions:
• Identify Support Structures
• Hire for the lead of the equity work
JOINT COMMITTEE PRIORITIZATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Stage 1 – Top
Priority
Stage 2 Stage 3
I.1. Equity Plans 7 2 5
I.2. Expand SPF 5 6 2
II.1. CRE Training 8 4 2
II.2. CRE Curricular
materials
2 4 7
III.1. Access plans for HVLO 3 8 2
IV.1. CFO 4 5 6
IV.2. Black Family Advisory
Councils
4 5 5
IV.3. Choice tool 0 2 12
V.1. HR task force 9 3 3
V.2. Attract and Retain 5 6 4
Are there any clarifying questions on process?
AGENDA
Session Overview
Process to Progress
Panel Discussion
Next Phase
AAETF PARTICIPANT PANEL
DeVita Bruce – Steering Committee Internal Chair, DPS Director of Operations Outreach & Engagement
William Anderson – Steering Committee Member, Teacher Leader at Manual High School
Moira Coogan – Steering Committee Member, Reach Charter School Principal
Mike Williams- Steering Committee Member, DPS Parent
AGENDA
Session Overview
Process to Progress
Panel Discussion
Next Phase
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
1. Organizational
Effectiveness
3. District-Community
Collaboration
2. School/District
Performance
WORK PLAN SEQUENCING OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Stage 1 Top Priority Stage 2 Stage 3
I.1. Equity Plans 7 2 5
I.2. Expand SPF 5 6 2
II.1. CRE Training 8 4 2
II.2. CRE Curricular materials 2 4 7
III.1. Access plans for HVLO 3 8 2
IV.1. CFO 4 5 6
IV.2. Black Family Advisory
Councils
4 5 5
IV.3. Choice tool 0 2 12
V.1. HR task force 9 3 3
V.2. Attract and Retain 5 6 4
Organizational EffectivenessSchool District/Performance District Community Collaboration
FIRST 6 MONTHS: EXPLORING6/17-12/17
1. Organizational Effectiveness 2. School/District Performance 3. District-Community Collaboration
Focus Action/Deliverable Focus Action/Deliverable Focus Action/Deliverable
1. Communication
with key
stakeholders
1. Meetings to discuss
the Equity Agreement,
AAETF
recommendations and
next steps with internal
leaders, including
charters
1. Equity Assessments 1a. Work with SLT team
and Opportunity Gap
Action team to create
process and materials.
1b. Communicate the
need and focus for the
audit
1c. Implement equity
audits
1. Community
Engagement
1a. Superintendent
Equity Town Hall
meetings in each Board
region.
1b. Equity Agreement
Meetings w/ city and
elected officials; and
mission critical
stakeholders.
1c. Establish Equity
Ambassador Program
2. Targeted
Universalism and Bias
Training
2. Working with SLT and
departments to
understand TU and
Belonging.
3. BoE training with
expert
2. Data Dive 2a. Review and publish
data for African-American
retention and hiring
2b. Review of data from
SPF from the Equity
Indicators
2. Accountability
Structure
2a. Set vision, direction
and expectations related
to implementation and
progress monitoring of
AAETF
recommendations
2b. Collaborate with
District leaders to
develop year long Equity
goals. 3. Resource Audit 3. Identify what
structures and systems
are in place and what is
still needed to meet the
recommendations of the
EA and AAETF
3. Early Implementation 3. Identification of three
AAETF
recommendations that
will be implemented to
make immediate impact
APPENDIX
African-American Equity Task Force Guidelines and Recommendations