Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Equity and Diversity Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday January 24, 2019 at 4:30 PM
Location
ECHS Auxiliary Office, 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
ECMS-I Members:
Equity & Diversity Taskforce Charter
The Equity & Diversity Taskforce promotes and supports ECS’s work to develop a school culture that fosters equity, inclusion and an appreciation of the diversity within our community.
Recent events in our nation have drawn attention to structures and processes that have historically disadvantaged people of color and persist today. We acknowledge that ECS, as an educational institution, is situated within a historical context and is not immune to the biases and structural inequities that have disenfranchised the communities we serve. As a public education leader in Los Angeles, we have a powerful responsibility to respond proactively and to embrace opportunities to change the structures and processes within our institution that undermine our efforts to educate and empower ECS students.
We need to critically examine our practices with an eye to continual growth, modeling the lifelong learning and critical thinking that will empower our students to be quality stewards of their communities and our world.
History of this Work
The Taskforce will build upon the work already begun at our three campuses, including Arlene Ford’s Great Minds Inquiry at ECHS in 2011-2014, the ongoing efforts of the ECHS Equity & Pedagogy Coalition and collaborative work of ECMS with Tyrone Howard in 2015-16.
Call to Action
The Equity & Diversity Taskforce will examine data on topics such as student achievement, school discipline, school climate and enrollment trends/retention; address the roots of bias; share insights and suggest possible resources or actions to ECS leadership. The Taskforce membership will include parent, student, teacher, staff, administration and Board representation. Community members may also serve on the Taskforce.
The goals of the Committee include:
THE ORDER OF BUSINESS MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the order of consideration of matters on this agenda may be changed without prior notice.
PUBLIC SPEAKERS AT STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Notice is hereby given that consistent with the requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act, special presentations not mentioned in the agenda may be made at this meeting. However, any such presentation will be for information only. The public should be aware that the Committee is unable by law to deliberate or take action on items raised during the Presentations from the Floor section.
Environmental Charter Schools recognizes that it benefits greatly from public input and perspective. Individuals are invited to address the Committee on any topic or subject matter that falls within the Committee's purview. Speakers may sign up in person immediately prior to the beginning of the Committee meeting by speaking with the Committee Chair.
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters not listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of three (3) minutes each to address the Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each). Please note that the Committee allows a maximum of 10 minutes to each subject as determined by the Committee Chair.
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of five (5) minutes each to address the Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each).
The public should be aware that the Committee is unable by law to deliberate or take action on items raised during the Presentations from the Floor section.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WILL BE PROVIDED FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY
Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting of the Governing Board may request assistance by contacting ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information concerning this agenda or for materials relating to this meeting, please contact ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.
- Tashanda Giles Jones
- Danny Cristales
- Dr. Qiana O'Leary
- Sabrina Johnson
- KC Villoria
- Sara Diaz
- Ernie Levroney
- Jenina Ramirez
- Danielle Kelsick (chair)
- Alison Diaz
Equity & Diversity Taskforce Charter
The Equity & Diversity Taskforce promotes and supports ECS’s work to develop a school culture that fosters equity, inclusion and an appreciation of the diversity within our community.
Recent events in our nation have drawn attention to structures and processes that have historically disadvantaged people of color and persist today. We acknowledge that ECS, as an educational institution, is situated within a historical context and is not immune to the biases and structural inequities that have disenfranchised the communities we serve. As a public education leader in Los Angeles, we have a powerful responsibility to respond proactively and to embrace opportunities to change the structures and processes within our institution that undermine our efforts to educate and empower ECS students.
We need to critically examine our practices with an eye to continual growth, modeling the lifelong learning and critical thinking that will empower our students to be quality stewards of their communities and our world.
History of this Work
The Taskforce will build upon the work already begun at our three campuses, including Arlene Ford’s Great Minds Inquiry at ECHS in 2011-2014, the ongoing efforts of the ECHS Equity & Pedagogy Coalition and collaborative work of ECMS with Tyrone Howard in 2015-16.
Call to Action
The Equity & Diversity Taskforce will examine data on topics such as student achievement, school discipline, school climate and enrollment trends/retention; address the roots of bias; share insights and suggest possible resources or actions to ECS leadership. The Taskforce membership will include parent, student, teacher, staff, administration and Board representation. Community members may also serve on the Taskforce.
The goals of the Committee include:
- Provide a fresh perspective on ECS data sets, considering where data suggest there may be bias or structures/processes that are unfair.
- Support ECS leadership in identifying resources to help develop the ECS community’s capacity to be inclusive and recognize and mitigate bias.
- Develop metrics or benchmarks to help measure effectiveness of equity initiatives.
THE ORDER OF BUSINESS MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the order of consideration of matters on this agenda may be changed without prior notice.
PUBLIC SPEAKERS AT STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Notice is hereby given that consistent with the requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act, special presentations not mentioned in the agenda may be made at this meeting. However, any such presentation will be for information only. The public should be aware that the Committee is unable by law to deliberate or take action on items raised during the Presentations from the Floor section.
Environmental Charter Schools recognizes that it benefits greatly from public input and perspective. Individuals are invited to address the Committee on any topic or subject matter that falls within the Committee's purview. Speakers may sign up in person immediately prior to the beginning of the Committee meeting by speaking with the Committee Chair.
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters not listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of three (3) minutes each to address the Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each). Please note that the Committee allows a maximum of 10 minutes to each subject as determined by the Committee Chair.
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of five (5) minutes each to address the Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each).
The public should be aware that the Committee is unable by law to deliberate or take action on items raised during the Presentations from the Floor section.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WILL BE PROVIDED FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY
Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting of the Governing Board may request assistance by contacting ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information concerning this agenda or for materials relating to this meeting, please contact ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.
Committee Members Present
Alison Diaz (remote), Danielle Kelsick, Danny Cristales, Qiana O'Leary, Sabrina Johnson, Sara Diaz
Committee Members Absent
Ernie Levroney, Jenina Ramirez, KC Fabiero, Tashanda Giles Jones
Guests Present
Jeremiah David, Kami Cotler, Robert Maxwell, Sarah Jamieson
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Danielle Kelsick called a meeting of the Equity and Diversity Committee of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Thursday Jan 24, 2019 at 5:00 PM.
C.
Review Objectives and Approve Agenda
Danny Cristales made a motion to approve agenda.
Sabrina Johnson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Tashanda Giles Jones |
Absent
|
| Sara Diaz |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Absent
|
| Alison Diaz |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| Danny Cristales |
Aye
|
| Danielle Kelsick |
Aye
|
| KC Fabiero |
Absent
|
| Qiana O'Leary |
Aye
|
| Sabrina Johnson |
Aye
|
D.
Approve minutes from 11/27/2018 Committee Meeting
Danny Cristales made a motion to approve minutes from the Equity and Diversity Committee Meeting on 11-27-18 Equity and Diversity Committee Meeting on 11-27-18.
Alison Diaz seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Tashanda Giles Jones |
Absent
|
| Danielle Kelsick |
Aye
|
| Alison Diaz |
Aye
|
| KC Fabiero |
Absent
|
| Sabrina Johnson |
Aye
|
| Danny Cristales |
Aye
|
| Qiana O'Leary |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Absent
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| Sara Diaz |
Aye
|
II. Presentations from the Floor
A.
Presentation from the Floor on Non Agenda Items
None.
B.
Presentations from the Floor on Agenda Items
None.
III. Discussion Items / Updates
A.
Meeting Overview
B.
Opener Activity: Common Equity Vocabulary
The following committee members and guests paired up and presented their analysis of UNCF study "African American Youth’s Perceptions of K-12 Education":
Sabrina Johnson and Robert Maxwell: 75% of AA learners are underrepresented in AP program but overrepresented in the percentage of students receiving disciplinary infractions. Key Term: Representation.
Dr. O'Leary and Danny Cristales: Young people having unique perspectives. Own learning preferences. Key Term: Insights.
Kami Cotler and Sara Diaz: How do we become more grounding and inspiring to our students? Key Term: Awareness and Reality.
Farnaz Flechner and Danielle Kelsick: Overrepresentation--lack of safety. Underrepresentation as well. Key Term: Representation (under vs. over).
Geneva and Sarah: AA students more likely than other groups to be in schools with inexperienced and less qualified educators. Key term: Qualified. Boldness in choice of language.
Sabrina Johnson and Robert Maxwell: 75% of AA learners are underrepresented in AP program but overrepresented in the percentage of students receiving disciplinary infractions. Key Term: Representation.
Dr. O'Leary and Danny Cristales: Young people having unique perspectives. Own learning preferences. Key Term: Insights.
Kami Cotler and Sara Diaz: How do we become more grounding and inspiring to our students? Key Term: Awareness and Reality.
Farnaz Flechner and Danielle Kelsick: Overrepresentation--lack of safety. Underrepresentation as well. Key Term: Representation (under vs. over).
Geneva and Sarah: AA students more likely than other groups to be in schools with inexperienced and less qualified educators. Key term: Qualified. Boldness in choice of language.
IV. Study Sessions
A.
Explore site-specific data
The chart for Student Proficient in ELA CAASPP was shown. Several trends were identified. ECS students over the 4 year period (14-15 to 17-18) were steadily increasing in test scores. ECS AA students showed wide variability, with 15-16 being an exceptional year for test scores, and 16-17 being a down year for test scores. AA students across CA were significantly lower in achievement than ECS AA students over 3 of 4 years.
The chart for Student Proficient in Math CAASPP was shown. ECS students over the 4 year period (14-15 to 17-18) were steadily increasing in test scores. ECS AA students showed wide variability, with 15-16 being an exceptional year for test scores, and 16-17 being a down year for test scores. ECS AA students were significantly lower in achievement than AA students across CA over 3 of 4 years.
AA student representation at each school was explored. There will be more follow-up work on this area of data analysis.
The chart for Student Proficient in Math CAASPP was shown. ECS students over the 4 year period (14-15 to 17-18) were steadily increasing in test scores. ECS AA students showed wide variability, with 15-16 being an exceptional year for test scores, and 16-17 being a down year for test scores. ECS AA students were significantly lower in achievement than AA students across CA over 3 of 4 years.
AA student representation at each school was explored. There will be more follow-up work on this area of data analysis.
B.
Refine SMARTE goal and action plan
SMARTE GOALS:
ECMS-Inglewood:
Danny: Empower AA parents to feel more supported and confident in assisting their child in Math. Parent workshops designed. Using parent surveys conducted pre, during, and post each workshop
Robert: Targets--seek to reduce negative responses and increase positive responses. Translate old survey results to new survey format. Determine change that would be outside a reasonable margin of error: 6.8% increase. Question 1 and Question 2 response targets were shared.
Danny: Empower AA parents to feel more supported and confident in assisting their child in Math. Parent workshops designed. Using parent surveys conducted pre, during, and post each workshop
Robert: Targets--seek to reduce negative responses and increase positive responses. Translate old survey results to new survey format. Determine change that would be outside a reasonable margin of error: 6.8% increase. Question 1 and Question 2 response targets were shared.
ECMS-Gardena:
Sabrina: Looked at data, found need to improve Math scores. Peer math mentor program using reciprocal teaching. 7th and 8th graders will mentor 6th graders.
Robert: Targets--determine change that would be outside a reasonable margin of error: 5.8% increase. New 2019 CAASPP proficiency goals for each MS cohort were shared.
Sabrina: Looked at data, found need to improve Math scores. Peer math mentor program using reciprocal teaching. 7th and 8th graders will mentor 6th graders.
Robert: Targets--determine change that would be outside a reasonable margin of error: 5.8% increase. New 2019 CAASPP proficiency goals for each MS cohort were shared.
ECHS:
Sara: Ongoing gradebook analysis with support from Master Teacher. AA or black students. Gradebook analysis affinity group meeting twice a month for four months. Provide best practices.
Robert: For course passage rates, where historical average change is negative, seek to maintain semester 1 rate. Where historical average change is positive, match schoolwide growth. The proficiency targets for course passage rates, PSAT to SAT growth.
Sara: Ongoing gradebook analysis with support from Master Teacher. AA or black students. Gradebook analysis affinity group meeting twice a month for four months. Provide best practices.
Robert: For course passage rates, where historical average change is negative, seek to maintain semester 1 rate. Where historical average change is positive, match schoolwide growth. The proficiency targets for course passage rates, PSAT to SAT growth.
V. Action Items
A.
Approve Revised Committee Goals
Tabled.
VI. Closing Items
A.
Closing Discussion
B.
Adjourn Meeting
Sara Diaz made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Sabrina Johnson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Qiana O'Leary |
Aye
|
| Sara Diaz |
Aye
|
| Sabrina Johnson |
Aye
|
| Danny Cristales |
Aye
|
| Alison Diaz |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Absent
|
| Tashanda Giles Jones |
Absent
|
| Danielle Kelsick |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| KC Fabiero |
Absent
|
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Danielle Kelsick
For the goal "Maintain collective focus on improving achievement, enrollment, and retention achievement of African American students at ECS", a suggestion to remove enrollment and retention from this goal was discussed. The outcome of the discussion was that committee members do not want to remove reference to enrollment and retention from this goal because they do not want to lose track of the interconnectivity of these issues for African-American students at ECS.
Next Steps:
1. Explore enrollment and retention data in upcoming EDC meetings. Develop a plan for addressing enrollment and retentions goals with a Home Office EDC goal or some other mechanism.
2. The committee will revisit these objectives at next EDC meeting, where a vote will take place to confirm the final objectives.