An Examination of Equity in Falls Church City Public Schools Peter - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

▶

Jun 28, 2023 194 likes •375 views

An Examination of Equity in Falls Church City Public Schools Peter Noonan Ed.D. Superintendent, Falls Church City Public Schools Context l FCCPS is an affluent Northern Virginia suburb l We have one of the highest populations, per capita, of

SLIDE 1

An Examination of Equity in Falls Church City Public Schools

Peter Noonan Ed.D.

Superintendent, Falls Church City Public Schools

SLIDE 2

Context

l FCCPS is an affluent Northern Virginia suburb l We have one of the highest populations, per capita, of advanced degrees in

the United States

l Our community is one that identifies broadly as “progressive” on the

political spectrum

l There has been growing economic diversity and students in need of English

Language services in the past several years in FCCPS

l Our stated mission speaks to meeting the needs of ALL students

SLIDE 3

Historical Challenges

l Diversity in leadership positions had not been identified as an issue or

addressed “head-on”

l People of color in FCCPS have been marginalized on multiple occasions

through structural inequality

l Instructional programming has historically been rooted in a “one size fits all

model” with little differentiation or scaffolding for diverse students

l FCCPS has always been a “successful” division by every external measure

and metric…in the aggregate

SLIDE 4

Current Challenges

l Growing concerns raised by students and staff about language consistent

with hate speech

l Parents and advocates describe interactions with students in the community

as racially motivated

l Two incidents where swastikas were publicly displayed l Multiple events where students were disciplined for using racial slurs

towards other students

l Title IX complaints filed by staff for aggression related to race and ethnicity

SLIDE 5

We Needed To Do Something…

SLIDE 6

Initial Steps

l Contacted colleagues to see what they had done in similar circumstances l Contacted our local university (GMU) to see what support they could offer l Given the name of Dr. Joseph Williams, formerly of GMU, now at UVA l Met and contracted with Dr. Joseph Williams for services to support our

community

l Provided multiple professional developments with staff on race, ethnicity, and

microaggressions

l Provided community meetings on microaggressions and provided numerous resources

for use

l Met with student leadership groups and broader groups of students to discuss

microaggressions

SLIDE 7

All of this was a good 1st step. But it wasn’t enough. It was too isolated.

SLIDE 8

In the midst of our work - FCCPS gets a call... from, of all places…

SLIDE 9

SLIDE 10

So the beat went on…We needed to do more and be more comprehensive…

SLIDE 11

Equity Audit – Infrastructure Assessment of Diversity

l We met, and contracted with, Julian Williams from George Mason University

to provide FCCPS an equity audit

l This was to be a comprehensive review of FCCPS’ policies, practices, and

ther actions in the context of equity

l He performed over 150 interviews with staff, students, parents, school board

members

l A survey was administered for those who were unable to meet in person to gather

feedback

l Julian Williams developed a final report, delivered it at a school board meeting

and gave five (5) recommendations

SLIDE 12

Observations and Key Themes

l Our hearts are in the “right place” l There is a strong sense of fairness and equity throughout the school

community

l The FCCPS leadership has made this a priority l Words are not enough…action is required and accountability is mandatory l In the end…FCCPS is well positioned to do the work necessary to support

equity

SLIDE 13

Recommendations

l Creation of a FCCPS diversity landing webpage l Review and develop curriculum with a lens for inclusion l Creation of an FCCPS diversity recruitment plan l Bolster diversity and inclusion focused professional development l Create a Chief Diversity Officer position

SLIDE 14

FCCPS Framework for Inclusive Leadership

SLIDE 15

Immediate Actions

l Developed plans to enhance our Family Resource Center (FRC) l Modified an existing position to include duties as an equity officer –

renamed position Director of Equity and Excellence

l Have begun the process of developing an Equity Policy for the School Board

to adopt later in the year. Thank you Charlottesville City for the great model policy!

l Stopped doing “Colonial Day” in 4th grade and will be engaged in a spring

project called “Virginia History Through Time”

SLIDE 16