Beyond EquityContinuous Improvement in

Washington Township Schools

WT Students – Who We Serve

● 11,068 Students

○ 4,806 Elementary

○ 2,497 Middle School

○ 3,765 High School

● Student Demographics:○ 30% White Students

○ 70% Students of Color

(40% Black, 20% Hispanic, 6% Multi-Racial, 4% Asian)

● 61% Living in Poverty (according to the Federal Government)

● Homeless Students = 396● English Language Learners = 1600

○ 77 Native languages spoken by students

● Refugee Students = 300

● Students receiving special education supports = 2,184

● Students served in high ability programming = 1,398

• Spanish Instruction & Dual Language Immersion (Eled.)

• HBCU Tour & College Fair (HS)

• Cohort & Bridge - Academic Support Group to Students of Color (HS)

• AVID Class - Mission to close the achievement gap focusing on student success skills,

honors placement, and college readiness (MS)

• Black History Club (HS)

• Ladies First - Targets female students of color for community building (HS)

• Social Worker & Mental Health Provider - Each building has these supports to address

the social and emotional needs of all students (All Schools)

• Tutoring before and after school opportunities (HS)

• After school remediation (Eled.)

• Access to weekly additional academic support before school (MS)

• After school enrichment activities (Eled.)

• School Choice - Based on enrollments (All Schools)

• ENL STEM Club (Eled.)

• Minority Council (Eled.)

WT Student Services Offered for Equity

Achievement of Hispanic students as well as our racial

achievement gap needs to improve.

*Data represent a comparison of 11 school districts across Indiana with similar enrollment

size (10,000+) and demographic representation (50% + majority-minority and at least 50% +

Free and/or Reduced Lunch). School Districts compared are Elkhart, Fort Wayne, Hammond,

IPS, Lawrence, Pike, Perry, South Bend, Warren, Washington, Wayne.

We are growing all of our students more than one academic

year annually in both reading and math, but a racial gap still

exists and improvement is needed.

*Data are based on NWEA scores for WT students only.

8th ILEARN Math for Hispanic Students

8th Graduation rate difference between White & Students of Color

10th Graduate Rate for Hispanic Students

10th ISTEP+ Grade 10 ELA & Math for Hispanic Students

11th ILEARN Proficiency difference between Whites & Students of Color

Subgroup NWEA Reading NWEA Math

Black 1.2 1.3

Hispanic 1.2 1.2

Multiracial 1.8 1.8

White 1.9 2.4

Areas of Improvement Needed inAchievement for Students of Color

1st IREAD for Black students

1st IREAD for Hispanic students

1st ILEARN ELA for Black students

1st ILEARN SCI for All subgroups of students

1st Graduation Rate for Multiracial students

2nd ILEARN ELA for Multiracial students

2nd ISTEP+ Grade 10 Math for Black students

2nd ISTEP+ Grade 10 ELA & Math for Multiracial students

3rd ILEARN Math for Black students

4th Graduation Rate for Black students

WT has the top academic performance in the state (when

compared to 11 districts with similar enrollment &

demographics) for:

● Black student achievement in Reading, English Language

Arts, Math

● IREAD scores for students of color

● Science achievement for all students

*Data represent a comparison of 11 school districts across Indiana with similar enrollment size

(10,000+) and demographic representation (50% + majority-minority and at least 50% + Free

and/or Reduced Lunch). School Districts compared are Elkhart, Fort Wayne, Hammond, IPS,

Lawrence, Pike, Perry, South Bend, Warren, Washington, Wayne.

Areas of Success in

Achievement for Students of Color

WT Continuous Improvement Efforts are Beyond Equity

Current Action Steps for Creating Equitable Classrooms

Cultural Responsivity Training - All Staff Alternatives to Suspension & Expulsion

Programs established

Emphasis on small group guided instruction at

all levels

Implicit Bias Training Data-informed and differentiated instruction at

all levels

Classroom Management Plan Development and

Training

School-based equity teams Added district social and emotional coaches Tiered Academic and Behavior Intervention

Support System Analysis and Training

Intercultural Development Inventory

Completion - All School & District Leaders

Responsive Classroom Ongoing Training -

Elementary

Added Social Workers

Stakeholder focus groups - Revised District Code

of Conduct

Developmental Designs Ongoing Training -

Secondary

Universal Proactive Discipline Framework

implemented and routinely monitored

● 2020 District Strategic Plan○ Academics – Provide an educational environment that inspires and empowers all students to increase academically and social

emotionally

○ Diversity and Equity – Advance a District culture that values diversity and equity and is representative and supportive of the

students and families we serve

○ Partnerships – Strengthen our partnerships with students, families, and community stakeholders to achieve our mission of

academic success for all students

● May 5, 2020 Referenda:○ Alternative programs expansion

○ Transitional kindergarten programs

○ Equitable facilities for all schools

○ Additional staff positions to support students services and academics

○ Improve teacher recruitment and retention through competitive wages

○ Lowering counselor/student ratio

○ Create Equity Specialist position

Future Support to Move Beyond Equity in WT Schools

Call to Action – It Takes A VillageWe appreciate your engagement in this important area impacting students in WT Schools and look forward to your support as we strive for continuous improvement beyond equity.

❏ Volunteer to mentor/tutor a student before or after school

❏ Partner with us to provide support programs for our students after school

❏ Volunteer to support our 21st Century Scholars Program for students

❏ Support funding or sponsorship for administrator, teacher and staff professional development and

training

❏ Provide resources to staff regarding moving beyond equity (videos, training materials, books, etc.)

❏ Volunteer to support in our classrooms during the school day

❏ Participate in our district Beyond Equity Coalition being formed to have ongoing conversations in

order to develop additional strategies

❏ Serve on a school improvement committee to assist with continuous improvement efforts

❏ Connect us to large urban public school systems who have closed the racial achievement gap

❏ Other:

Life's most persistent and urgent question is,“What are you doing for others?" MLKPlease complete the “Call to Action - It Takes a Village” sign-up form before you leave.