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Educational Equity & Excellence Plan
 School Board GoalAt the heart of the Lawrence Board of Education’s goals is the district's effort “to raise the achievement of all students, while closing achievement gaps.” According to Kansas math and reading assessments and the graduation rate for Lawrence schools, there are achievement disparities between white students and students of color.
While concerns about the achievement of students of color, as well as students from poverty and students with disabilities, are not new concerns, the federal No Child Left Behind Act has highlighted these achievement disparities for schools and districts across the country.
"In order to close achievement gaps, significant systemic change is needed, including changes in beliefs, expectations and practice," said Superintendent Rick Doll.
The Change Process
In the spring of 2009, a group of administrators, teachers and community members attended the first National Summit for Courageous Conversations. The district continues to host "Beyond Diversity" seminars, inviting school board, administrators, teachers, staff, parents and community members to examine these issues. In the spring of 2012, a group of administrators and teachers attended the national summit and returned with the Summit Leadership Award.
Also in 2009, four local African-American men, Willie Amison, Craig Butler, Ed Brunt and Bud Stallworth, began volunteering with Lawrence High School through a program called "Can We Talk?" Their goal: to help eliminate barriers to student achievement by providing adult mentors for students, particularly black males. The adult volunteers meet with students weekly to openly discuss education, high-stakes achievement tests and life after school. "Can We Talk?" has since expanded its outreach to Free State High School and the district's middle schools. In 2010, the Lawrence Board of Education presented Outstanding Citizen Awards to the program's founders.
Technical Assistance
The school board has contracted with Glenn Singleton, the book’s author, and his Pacific Educational Group (PEG) to provide professional development and technical assistance with the district’s efforts. Through its Framework for Systemic Equity/Anti-Racism Transformation, PEG helps school districts address racial educational disparities, become aware of institutional racism and develop strategies for closing achievement gaps. PEG’s partner districts who have had long-term relationships with the organization report significant achievement gains for their students of color.
Equity Leadership
In 2010-11, the Lawrence school board began participating in workshops focused on governing for systemic equity and transformation. The district also reorganized its Equity Council, a board advisory committee, by soliciting applications for membership from
teachers, high school students, parents and community members, and selecting a representative group. The Council advises the board by examining goal progress and district initiatives through the lens of equity.
In the spring of 2011, each high school and a small group of elementary schools initiated E-Teams, school equity leadership teams. These teams consist of 8-10 racial equity leaders who have completed the Beyond Diversity seminar. The E-Teams participate in additional professional development activities designed to prepare staff to develop and guide the implementation of their own school’s Equity Transformation Plan. The remaining schools developed E-Teams in 2012.
Equity Transformation Plan
These efforts constitute only the first few steps in a multi-phase plan of district improvement. “We believe that with commitment, professional development and support, our school district and community can tackle the goal of raising the achievement of all students and eliminating achievement gaps,” Doll said.
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