In a recent edWebinar, sponsored by Scholastic Digital Solutions, the presenters discussed the reality of racial violence and inequity that students of color face and what we as educators and administrators can do to confront it rather than perpetuate it. They identified racial violence as violence incurred by students of color that can be overt and covert, taken for granted, an act of invisibilization, or the erasure of students’ identities and realities.
Education is just different than it was pre-pandemic—many school leaders think it shouldn’t go back to the way it was before when schools used systems developed in the 20th century. But that doesn’t mean even more changes aren’t needed. In a recent edWebinar, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association and AASA’s Leadership Network, the presenters discussed the findings of the AASA Learning 2025 National Commission and the need to get more students engaged in their own educational experience.
Presented by Veronica Crespin-Palmer, Co-Founder and CEO, RISE Colorado; Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite, Superintendent, Lynwood Unified School District (CA); and Anpao Duta Flying Earth, Senior Advisor, Native American Community Academy (NM)
Moderated by Kimberly Smith, Executive Director of the League of Innovative Schools and Center for Inclusive Innovation, Digital Promise
Presented by Leticia Citizen, i4Coach, Hawthorne Elementary School (CA); and Sue Thotz, Sr. Program Manager, Common Sense Education
Looking through the lens of three district leaders, a recent edWebinar, sponsored by ClassLink and co-hosted by CoSN and AASA, highlighted how school districts are working with their staff and students to assure accessibility for all. The presenters discussed and reflected on five compelling steps that school districts must take to ensure accessibility.
When only 28% of a school district’s third graders are reading at grade level, changes are clearly needed. In the Aldine Independent School District just outside of Houston, Texas, the need for change resulted in a dual focus on improving the district’s leadership bench and revamping literacy instruction, in order to provide an equitable education for all students.
Presented by Michelle Luhtala, Library Department Chair, New Canaan High School (CT); Anna Morris, Manager of Collection Management, Mackin Educational Resources; and Megan Mabee, TBR Bibliologist and Writing Contributor at Book Riot, and Library Secretary at New Canaan High School (CT)
“Techquity,” as defined by educator and consultant Ken Shelton in a recent edLeader Panel, sponsored by NetRef, is the intersection of the use of technology and ensuring equitable learning environments. He defines equity simply as access and opportunities for all learners to realize their full potential. Whether it is a classroom, the school, or the whole school experience, if a student’s learning environment is not culturally affirming, culturally responsive, and culturally relevant, they cannot connect learning to their real-world environment.
When addressing education inequity, it isn’t enough for superintendents and administrators to look at grades and attendance. They need to examine the social, legal, and economic factors that have supported systemic racism. But more important, said Dr. Mark T. Bedell, Superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools (MO), in an edWebinar hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association and AASA’s Leadership Network, school leaders need to make noise and keep fighting for policies that will support change in their communities and schools.
Ways to move the process forward, communicate effectively, and achieve meaningful improvements were discussed during a recent edWebinar, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association and AASA’s Leadership Network. The presentation featured Dr. Jeannie Stone, Superintendent of the Richardson Independent School District (TX), Carrie Breedlove, Principal of J.J. Pearce High School (TX), Katrina Collins, Principal of Skyview Elementary School (TX), and Toni Jackson, a teacher at Dartmouth Elementary School (TX).