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