Deeper Conversations About Equity

Deeper Conversations About Equity

RAPSA Forum 2020

RAPSA’s Forums provide up to date information about progress on meaningful accountability policies for schools serving at-promise students. As states increasingly adopt alternative accountability policies, school leaders are challenged to design systems and pedagogies that put alternative accountability in practice. This year’s Forum includes 9 sessions with perspectives by leading experts from California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Texas and Utah.

A Guiding Compass for Equity and Positive Youth Development

Presentation Slides
In a state that continually ranks last for child well-being, New Mexico’s Leadership Schools Network (LSN) developed an innovative Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Framework (CLR) informed by local wisdom from community, industry partners, students, families and multidisciplinary staff. Participants will learn about the genesis of the CLR Framework, including the model of the LSN schools, and how it drives intentional school practices that center equity and view students as the creators of healthy more prosperous communities.
In addition to showcasing the framework, a case study will highlight using it to develop a paid internship opportunity that has responded to this moment in time amidst a global pandemic and exacerbated health, economic and educational disparities. Future Focused Education’s X3 Internship Program positioned young people as expert consultants of their own lived experiences and paired them with healthcare professionals in order to create a “COVID-19 Student Approved School Reentry Guide” for school leaders, educators and superintendents state-wide. Participants will be able to hear the impact this guide has had on the students as well as learn from their experiences and recommendations to inform youth engagement strategies and priorities.
  • Ali Moore(Speaker)Future Focused Education, Director of Student Support
  • Cynthia Ramirez(Speaker)Technology Leadership High School, Director of Student Support
  • Nathan Hoge(Speaker)Health Leadership High School

Increasing Access and Equity to Quality Virtual Instruction

Panelists will discuss the challenges our nation has faced to ensure access and equity to quality virtual instruction for all students – particularly for at-promise youth – during the pandemic. This will be a roundtable panel discussion during which the information exchanged will include inherent systemic challenges; responsive, newly implemented technical and platform innovations; and novel social strategies and practices to increase access and equity for virtual instruction and student support. Virtual learning and interventions will be discussed from the viewpoints of a state department of education, digital service provider, and a school culture and climate consultant. Audience members will walk away with a better understanding of the conditions and context for virtual learning, and ideas for how to help at-promise students gain greater access to virtual instruction, and social and emotional supports.
  • Leslie Talbot(Moderator)Talbot Consulting, Founder & Principal
  • Tanya S. Lewis(Speaker)TSL Consulting, Culture and Climate Consultant
  • Mary Nicely(Speaker) California Department of Education , Senior Policy Advisor
  • Lydia Logan(Speaker)Digital Promise, Executive Director, Verizon Innovative Learning Schools