Danica Moore is a busy lady. Her title is the Equity TOSA or “Teacher on Special Assignment” but it’s so much more than that. One of her goals is to be in every classroom in the district at least twice a year to observe and help teachers as she’s the point person for USD 497’s Beyond Diversity, E-Team, and CARE Team Programs.
A major focus of the Lawrence Public Schools’ work this last year toward its Equity Goal – to raise the achievement of all students, while closing achievement gaps – involves school board members, administrators, teachers, support staff, parents and community partners participating in Beyond Diversity training. This two-day seminar serves as the foundation to the Pacific Educational Group’s (PEG) Courageous Conversations about Race programming, which the Lawrence school district began implementing in 2009. Participants describe Beyond Diversity as a powerful, personally transforming experience. The training is designed to equip participants to understand the impact of race on student achievement and the role that racism plays in institutionalized racial disparities. The goal is to have all the employees of USD 497 to have taken this training.
In the spring of 2011, each high school and a small group of elementary schools initiated E-Teams, school equity leadership teams. These teams consist of 8-10 racial equity leaders who have completed the Beyond Diversity seminar. The E-Teams participate in additional professional development activities designed to prepare staff to develop and guide the implementation of their own school’s Equity Transformation Plan. The remaining schools developed E-Teams in 2012.
During the 2013-14 school year, the district formed its first CARE Teams to begin conducting Collaborative Action Research for Equity. The district also began providing opportunities for staff of color to meet and discuss equity leadership. Teams continued to attend the annual National Summit for Courageous Conversations, including presenting information about the district’s work toward its equity goal. In addition, several members of the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence staff participated in the National Summit. The Club offers before- and after-school programs in the Lawrence Public Schools.
For more information about these programs here is the link to the USD 497 Equity and Excellence page. http://usd497.schoolwires.net/Page/5866
