TransformingDistricts and Schools

A framework to guide culturally responsive and inclusive changes

Elizabeth B. Kozleski, Associate Dean

University of Colorado at Denver & Health Sciences Center

… inclusive ways of knowing and living offer us the only true way to emancipate ourselves from the divisions that limit our minds and imaginations. bell hooks

Public Policy/Common Good

Educational Challenges• Class• Race• Language• Ability• Research in Practice• Coherence• Sustained, principled change at scale• Sociocultural Perspectives

NIUSI Goals

1. Increase knowledge and understanding of inclusive, culturally and linguistically responsive practices

2. Synthesize and expand research-based practices

3. Leverage existing networks4. Engage national discourse to improve

educational outcomes for ALL urban students.

Education for ALL

Tools for Change• Policy – Federal, State, Local• Regulation – Federal, State, Local• Incentives and Sanctions• Professional Learning• Technical Assistance• Preservice Education• Information Systems – Accountability and

Progress Monitoring• Public Information • Leadership

A common framework for understanding change work grounded in the system that we seek to change: public education

Family and community involvement are embedded activity at the district, school and professional levels

School systems are products of the communities and the families that live there

Systemic Change

• Coherence– People, Policy and Practices

• Roles & Responsibilities– Policy– Research Centers– Technical Assistance & Dissemination– SEAs– LEAs– IHEs

Activity ArenasPeople

Cultural/Historical InfluencesPsychological CharacteristicsProfessional/Personal Knowledge & Experience

ContextExpectations, Culture, Tools, Decision-making, Discourse

ActionPower, Influence, Privilege, Consent

AccountabilityFor Action or Results?

Dimensions of Change

• Technical• Organizational• Relational• Critical

must be grounded in an understanding ofHow teachers learn to teachHow school organization affects practiceHow districts can support school and practitioner effort, and How these factors affect children's opportunities to learn, participate and succeed educationally.

The steady work of Education for All

TA Logic Model

Knowledge Base

States

Districts

Classrooms

Students & Families

TA Processes

• Meeting Facilitation• Needs Assessments• Program Evaluation• Developing RFPs for

discretionary funds• Futures Trend Analysis• Grant Writing• Pilot Site Development

• Project Management• Develop indicators of

effective practice • Model effective

technology• Strategic Planning

Process• Needs Analysis

Skills: How To• Skill Building

Workshops• Professional

Development• Topical Forums• Design Research

Projects• Manage Research

Efforts• Develop Technical

Assistance Documents

• Policy Analysis• Documentation for

Processes, New Practices

• University Partnerships• Student Outcomes

measures• Evaluation Design and

Analysis• Information Systems• Uses of Technology

Services• Topical Updates• Information Packets• Technical Assistance

Documents• Grant Writing

Workshops• Developing Media

Packets• Data Interpretation• Developing Media

Spots• Data Analysis

•Electronic Networks•Networks with other State, regional, and national technical assistance networks•Conference Planning•Network school reform policy makers•Facilitate mentoring among SEAs and LEAs•Database Sharing•Web-based data storage

NIUSI Website

Tools– A replicable GIS information system– Accreditation for Inclusive Schools– A set of high quality action research studies– On Points– Leadership Academies

Networks– A network of 100 inclusive, urban PDS schools – A network of at least 1000 building leadership

teams across the countrywww.urbanschools.org

Professional Organization

Rubrics

The next set of rubrics help assess the work of teachers and other professionals who engage student learning. Make sure that you back up each rating with specific, concrete evidence.

Learning Assessment

Family Participation in Teaching & Learning

Group Practice & Professional Development

Teaching

Design &

Practices

Learning Standards

Tools– A replicable GIS information system– Accreditation for Inclusive Schools– A set of high quality action research studies– On Points– Leadership Academies

Networks– A network of 100 inclusive, urban PDS

schools – A network of at least 1000 building leadership

teams across the country

NIUSITA