Equitable practice
“Global” isn’t just learning about the world. It’s also learning from the world. One thing we know about high-performing schools systems is that they cannot achieve excellence without equity.
This section is about how to give equal access to an excellent education.
Recruitment
Many schools are neighborhood schools and recruitment is not an issue.
For all others, don’t recruit a student based on his or her academic record; recruit that student despite it. All students deserve an education that will lead them to a world of options upon graduation. Schools should be a reflect of their context. Try to mimic your school population after the demographics of the neighborhood or the city.
Every student, given a rigorous and relevant education, has the ability to succeed. And equitable practices is your way towards creating a proof point.
Think about diverse underserved populations and how a global learning approach can give them equal access to advantaged learning.
Some advice:
- Communicate and advocate your mission.
- Target underserved communities.
- Recruit community help to translate and do outreach to immigrant families. They will be a big asset to a global school community.
- Limit the screening process. It’s all right to collect data, but don’t make enrollment decisions based on that.
- To ensure equity, consider a lottery system.
Celebrate Differences
A successful school celebrates differences. The is one foundational way to do this: establish and hold true common understandings and expectations.
Some schools are in tough positions where many outside problems seep into the school. It is critical to set a school culture where where learning happens. If this is a challenge for your school, confront the issues as a community.
[Book studies to come:
Shaping School Culture: The Heart of Leadership (Jossey-Bass Education)
Leading in a Culture of Change (Jossey-Bass Education)
Courageous Conversations About Race: A Field Guide for Achieving Equity in Schools (Corwin Press, Inc.)
]
If the whole community is involved, then everyone has a stake in making the school culture work. And when it doesn’t, students, faculty, staff, and leadership together will hold the offending parties accountable.
Access to Programs
Equity in education does not end with recruitment and school culture.
All students must be given equal access to all learning opportunities. Pre-requisite course work or knowledge is sometimes required. But students should never have limited access to learning opportunities based on financial need nor perceptions that they are not welcome.
Ways to ensure equitable access:
- If participation is limited, draw up a number of criteria and a correlating rubric to determine participation (if a lottery is not appropriate)
- If funding is an issue, task a parent committee to help find solutions, including fundraising opportunities and a plan for equitable participation.