TY FOR TCAPS

“Your letter paints equity as a threat. But equity is not the threat. It’s the antidote to decades of failure. Equity is what ensures all students have a fair shot. Equity is what makes it possible for a child with a speech impediment to present at the science fair. It’s what helps the nonverbal kindergartner use an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device. It’s what gets the newcomer from Ukraine the English as a Second Language (ESL) support she needs without being left behind.”

I love this passage from an anonymous superintendent that’s going around the internet.

It reminded me of a recent piece in the New York Times that examined how we got here—and how we can move forward – including a fascinating history of:

• No Child Left Behind

• Increased smartphone use

• Lasting effects of the Great Recession

• Wider societal literacy decline

• Less recreational reading

• Deprioritization of federal education research

And timely strategies for school districts like ours that are embarking on new strategic plans:

• Refocus attention on struggling students (make their progress a priority in school performance evaluations)

• Restore or strengthen accountability systems (systems that track subgroup performance – by income, ability, etc. – and require intervention when students fall behind)

• Invest in early literacy programs and evidence-based instruction methods

• Protect education funding, especially for high-need schools

As we prepare to consider adding student achievement gap goals (success of our economically disadvantaged kids vs. our kids who are not) to our next TCAPS district strategic plan, let’s keep these strategies in mind.

Let’s also be ready to bench mark our new equity goals.

But unfortunately (this pains me as a proud Michigander) we can no longer benchmark our equity efforts against Michigan’s numbers.

Why?

Because Michigan is near the bottom nationally (e.g., only four states are worse regarding the 4th-grade reading gap).

So let’s benchmark, of course. But let’s benchmark against the best.

️Several Michigan school districts, including one of ours in 2015 with Courtade Elementary School, in the mitten have been recognized for exceptional academic outcomes among their economically disadvantaged students.

Let’s do it again – our kids deserve it.

Our first strategic planning meeting is this Monday, April 28th, at 5pm.

H️ere’s that meeting agenda.

Photo Credit: Eastern Elementary Stars doing good on Earth Day yesterday.