The pandemic, while a great disruption in schools, is also an opportunity for change. According to presenters of a recent edWebinar, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association and AASA’s Leadership Network, as school leaders look to reopen their schools, they shouldn’t just be focused on logistics. In addition, they need to ask themselves: Is my school truly responsive to student needs, and if not, how can I make the school work for all students?
Presented by Geoffrey Canada, President, Harlem Children’s Zone®
Moderated by Ray Paul Biron, NexGen Education
While gaps in technology access were highlighted during the pandemic, many school and district leaders are trying to make strides with an even older issue: educational equity for children of all races and economic backgrounds. In the edWebinar, “Leading for Equity: Pursuing an Equity Agenda,” hosted by AASA, The Superintendents Association and AASA’s Leadership Network, Dr. Frank Barnes, Chief Equity and Accountability Officer, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), and Kimberly Vaught, Principal, Allenbrook Elementary School, discussed their approach to building equity.
Presented by Deana Senn, Director, Research & Development, Learning Sciences International (LSI); and Amber Olsen, Tech Director, LSI Student Evidence Tracker, Learning Sciences International (LSI)
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in the traditional education model, there was widespread recognition that schools alone could not do everything needed to provide an equitable education for diverse students because so many factors that determine students’ success were being affected or determined outside of school.
With so many issues for school and district leaders to deal with during this difficult time, staying focused on students’ learning experiences may not always seem like the top priority. But district officials from Alabama and Minnesota, who are determined to provide an equitable education for all their students, recently explained how listening to students and taking action based on student input is a key factor in achieving successful outcomes.
Presented by Dena Simmons, Ed.D., Assistant Director, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Yale University, CT; Dr. Baron R. Davis, Superintendent, Richland School District Two, SC; and Doris Corporan, Counselor, New York City
Achieving educational equity doesn’t just happen when schools change their expectations and goals in the classroom. Support and understanding from all stakeholders, including families, local businesses, elected officials, etc., is essential to ensuring everyone in the community is working towards the same goal. During the edWebinar, “Leading for Equity: From Research to Practice – Accelerating Outcomes for Scholars of Color, Part II,” hosted by AASA, The Superintendents Association and AASA’s Leadership Network, the presenters continued their exploration of strategies discussed in Part I and how leaders in the Selma City Public Schools are mobilizing their community in pursuit of educational equity.
Presented by Michael D. Toth, Education Author, Applied Research Center leader, and CEO of Learning Sciences International (LSI); Meg Bowen, Executive Director, Core Instruction at Learning Sciences International (LSI); and Emily Naumann, District Partnerships at Learning Sciences International (LSI)
Preparing learners for academic success is essential. But students must be able to carry what they learn from school to the real world where they will ultimately live and work. In a recent edLeader Panel, educators and entrepreneurs—committed to developing students’ academic and lifelong skills—shared strategies and tools designed to propel student engagement, strengthen academic proficiency, and build young people’s capacity for gainful employment and financial well-being.