|
|
|
|
|
Meeting Date:
|
6/17/2021 - 5:00 PM
|
|
Category:
|
Old Business and Action Items
|
|
Type:
|
Info
|
|
Subject:
|
Equity Policy Audit Update
|
|
ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
|
Goal 1: Systemic Alignment ACPS will build a culture of continuous improvement and design equitable systems for school and instructional improvement. Goal 3: Student Accessibility and Support ACPS will ensure students have equitable access to and engagement with programs and supports that reduce barriers to learning. Goal 2: Instructional Excellence ACPS will ensure that all students have access to and engagement with high-quality instruction. Goal 4: Strategic Resource Allocation ACPS will strategically provide differentiated resources and supports to schools and departments. Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
|
|
Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
|
|
|
File Attachment:
|
|
|
Agenda Item Summary:
|
Based on the School Board’s approved fiscal year 2021 budget and its identification as a 2020-2021 school year focus area, Superintendent Gregory C. Hutchings directed the Department of Student Services and Equity, in collaboration with the Office of the School Board, to embark on an innovative equity audit of all School Board policies. This presentation provides an update on the progress made since the initiative began in December 2020 and a timeline for the ongoing policy review, community engagement, recommendation and revision process.
|
|
Background:
|
Guided by the ACPS Strategic Plan 2025: Equity for All, with racial equity at its heart, the policy audit team met with multiple organizations in an effort to secure a consultant partner for conducting the equity audit. During the search, the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA EAC-South) was recommended by the Director of the VDOE Office of Equity and Community Engagement. IDRA EAC-South’s experiences include working with the Governor's Commission for Social Studies SOL and reviewing and developing policy through an equity lens with a focus on the disparate impacts of policy implementation on marginalized student populations.
The ACPS policy review team convened to work with representatives from IDRA EAC-South in December 2020. The ACPS team consists of two School Board members, Dr. Michelle Rief and Mr. Christopher Suarez, the Chief of Student Services and Equity, the Executive Director of Equity and Alternative Programs, the Director of Policy and Board Initiatives, the Cultural Competence Coordinator, and the Equity Resident. The team devised the following timeline:
Phase I - Equity Audit- Review Prioritized (Tier 1) Policies & Identify Themes
● December 2020 – February 2021 Audit team planning for organization and process
● February - June 2021 - Policy review and discussion
○ 2 Teams of Reviewers (Policies reviewed to date)
■ Reviewed and discussed A policies (Foundations & Basic Commitments)
■ Reviewed and discussed discrimination & harassment policies
■ Reviewed and discussed J policies (Students)
○ Review in progress: I policies (Instructional Program)
○ Bi-weekly 2 hour meetings for review/discussion
○ Beginning to solicit key staff member feedback
● June 2021 - Update presentation to School Board
Phase II – Engagement, Board Review and Policy Revision
● SY 2021-22: Review Tier II Policies
● Community Engagement with ACPS Stakeholders
● Board Review and Policy Revision
● Refine and Adopt Revised Policies
Phase III - Action Planning, Implementation & Capacity Building
● Develop 5-year outlook and Plan for re-evaluation
The ACPS audit team prioritized policies from the 12 School Board policy classifications into review tiers and concluded it was critical to begin with policies that directly impact students and student achievement (A, I and J policies). Policies scheduled for the second tier of review are those that directly impact staff, families and the community (G and K policies). Policie
|
|
Recommendation:
|
The Superintendent recommends the School Board review the equity policy audit update.
|
|
Approvals:
|
|
Recommended By:
|
|
Signed By:
|
|
|
Dr. Julie Crawford - Chief of Student Services, Alternative Programs and Equity
|
|
|
Signed By:
|
|
|
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|