leading for racial equity: the role of a transformation team · 2017-12-08 · transformation team...
TRANSCRIPT
Leading for Racial Equity: The Role of a
Transformation Team DR. LAURA LYNN, MATTHEW GULBRANSON, MELIA LACOUR
AESA CONFERENCE 2017
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Whose Land Are we Standing On?
The Traditional Lands of the Lipan Apache People
Objectives for Today
❖ To share our agency is “why” in leading for racial equity .
❖To share the Adaptive and Technical Approaches to develop and sustain systemic transformation.
❖Learn how this collaborative model is designed to bring staff, community members, and parents together to transform and prepare ESAs to lead their districts for racial equity.
Puget Sound ESD: Who Do We Serve?
Who We Serve Numbers
Districts 35
Teachers 22, 439
Students 413, 866
Puget Sound ESD: Who Do We Serve?Student Ethnic Groups in the Region Percentages Numbers
Black/ African American 4.4% 48,192
Hispanic / Latino of any race 22.8% 251,334
Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander
1.1% 11,713
American Indian / Alaskan Native
1.1% 15,406
White 55.2% 607,910
Asian 7.5% 82,428
Two or More Races 7.7% 85,222
Puget Sound ESD: Who Do We Serve?
Student Groups in the Region
Percentages Numbers
Free or Reduced-Price Meals 42.9% 479,309
Special Education 13.8% 151,649
Transitional Bilingual 11.3% 124,663
Migrant 1.8%% 20,102
Section 504 3.2% 35,619
Foster Care 0.9% 9,495
What is our “WHY” in this work?
Puget Sound ESD’s “Why”
Success for Each Child &Eliminating the Opportunity Gap, by Leading with Racial Equity
Journey to Becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization
Equity Work Begins in 2008, Equity & Inclusion Team developed
Racial Equity Development, 2013
Racial Equity Policy Board Adoption, 2015
Policy implementation plan, designed in collaboration with agency staff, 2015
Plan completed, Winter, 2015
Transformation Team developed, May 2016
Racial Equity Policy: Strategic Directions1. STRATEGIC DIRECTION 1: Assure the Cultural Proficiency and develop Antiracist Leadership Skills of Each Staff Member
2. STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2: Workforce Equity - Eliminate Barriers in Hiring, Advancement, and Retention of a Racially Diverse and Responsive Workforce
3. STRATEGIC DIRECTION 3: Provide Equity Leadership and High Impact Services with Educational Partners
4. STRATEGIC DIRECTION 4: Authentically Engage with Stakeholders on an Equity Agenda
5. STRATEGIC DIRECTION 5: Deeply Embed Equity Strategies into PSESD’s Organizational Culture and Hold Agency Leaders Accountable for Progress towards Goals
6. STRATEGIC DIRECTION 6: Transformation Team Development and Sustainability
What is the Transformation Team ?
A Team of PSESD staff, community members and parents who are responsible for guiding and overseeing the implementation of the agency’s Racial Equity Policy in order to lead the agency towards becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization.
Transformation Team Purpose
To guide and oversee the implementation of the Agency’s Racial Equity Policy.
Transformation Team
Power Imbalance Shared Power
X
X X X X X X
X
X X
X
X
X X
X X
X
Team Membership & Structure Membership:
o2 Parents
o3 Community Based Organizations
o23 agency staff members
Team Structure:
oTransformation Team
oFive Strategic Direction Action Teams
oEvaluation Team
Transformation
Team
Strategic Direction
Action Team
One Strategic Direction
Action Team
Two
Strategic Direction
Action Team
Three Strategic Direction
Action Team
Four
Strategic Direction
Action Team
Five
Evaluation
Transformation Team Leads
Melia LaCour, Debi Chadwick, LaWonda Smith, Nubia Lopez, Anna Wade
PSESD Transformation Team in ActionSpring, 2016
• Hired Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training
• Team Orientation
• 9 days of Training, Transformation Team Development & Strategic Planning
• Held monthly team meetings
• Engaged in caucusing at each meeting
PSESD Transformation Team in ActionFall, 2016
• Revised our new agency End in collaboration with Cabinet and Board
• Conducted Antiracist Multicultural Organizational Assessment through agency-wide focus groups and analyzed data
• Developed Strategic Plan based on assessment findings
PSESD Transformation Team in ActionWinter, 2017
• Revised our agency End in collaboration with Cabinet and Board
• Conducted Antiracist Multicultural Organizational Assessment through agency-wide focus groups and analyzed data
• Developed Strategic Plan based on assessment findings
• Hosted a two and half systemic racism training for Cabinet and all directors
PSESD Transformation Team in ActionSpring, 2017
• Continued agency-wide assessment presentations
• Celebrated our one year anniversary
• Developed budget to resource the team.
• Collaborated with the Board and Cabinet to revised the Racial Equity Policy based on assessment findings
PSESD Transformation Team in ActionSummer, 2017
• Collaboration with Cabinet: What does it mean to live in mutual accountability?
• Begin planning Strategic Direction Action Team recruitment and selection.
What are Strategic Direction Action Teams ?
Team consisting of agency staff, parents and community members responsible for implementing the activities under each of the five Strategic Directions outlined in the Racial Equity Implementation Plan. These five strategic directions correspond with the agency’s Racial Equity Policy.
Transformation
Team
Strategic Direction
Action Team
One Strategic Direction
Action Team
Two
Strategic Direction
Action Team
Three Strategic Direction
Action Team
Four
Strategic Direction
Action Team
Five
Evaluation
Lessons Learned
23
• Team development is not a linear process.
• Individual and organizational change must occur simultaneously.
• Establish clear, trusting relationships between the Transformation Team,
Cabinet and Board.
• Be ready to be uncomfortable.
• The default is to create a committee where this is a TEAM
• Set up the team as if you are doing this work for many generations
• Shared racial equity analysis and language is critical.
Recommendations for Creating a Transformation Team
24
1. Know your Personal and Organizational “Why.”
2. Be honest about where you are on your journey.
3. Set yourself up to engage in this work for the long-term.
4. Be open to collaborating with others who are on this journey.
5. Intentionally set aside resources for this work.
Questions
1. What kind of equity work is taking place in your organization?
2. How might your ESA benefit from implementing a Transformation Team?
Thank You!
Dr. Laura Lynn
Educational Equity and Evaluation Consultant
Melia LaCour, MSW
Executive Director, Equity in Education
Matthew Gulbranson
Director, Community and Family Partnerships