Design and Implementation Support.
When districts are ready to take action to become culturally proficient and equitable ecosystems, EJP can help design and implement policies, processes, and practices addressing the root causes of inequities in the school community. Many of the recommendations resulting from an equity audit will involve the design and refinement of systems, process and practices. Our unique collaborative network allows us to draw on former and current practitioners from many different areas, allowing EJP the flexibility to serve the unique needs of each partner with experienced professionals in each of our equity audit areas.
We recognize that the design and implementation work is a lifelong journey for individuals and organizations involved. We also appreciate that the path that each organization takes will be unique to its own people, environment, and starting point on the journey. Additionally, we know that the most successful organizations in this process are those where there is buy-in and ownership of diversity, equity, and inclusion; where DEI is a culture and norm, not just an occasional training exercise. Consequently, we take the approach of having our partners lead the work of implementation while we guide them through the process, ensuring that we are building capacity in our partners along the way so that full ownership can take place.
In addition, our approach to implementation recognizes:
Problems are complex; solutions do not happen in isolation. School systems are composed of a multitude of interrelated systems. A siloed approach to improvement often results in unintended consequences that can subvert the original intention. We approach each engagement with a wide-angle lens to ensure that any improvement takes into account direct and indirect consequences across the entire system.
Sustainable improvement requires prioritizing and layering. Yes, sometimes when things are broken there is an urgency to fix everything now. But, the solution is not to tackle everything all at once. No organization is capable of that. It is critical to start with the few issues that will have the greatest impact on student opportunities and focus resources toward sustainable improvement. Thoughtful layering is also a critical implementation consideration. Approaching change as a series of steps that build on each other will save significant time and money with the added benefit of building community confidence.
Rarely is the first solution the “right” solution. Improving systems means regularly evaluating them to determine if the desired outcomes are being achieved. This is particularly important during the implementation phase, where refining and adjusting based on outcomes and feedback is critical to sustainability. The area of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is fluid and evolving, solutions cannot be poured in concrete. Solutions need to be designed with a focus on the future, with sufficient flexibility from the start.
Design and implementation support services.
EJP currently provides design and implementation support in the following four areas that critically impact equity and cultural proficiency within school systems. If your inequity concerns fall outside of these areas, please feel free to contact us. Our network of consultants provides the flexibility to meet your needs.
Budget and finance.
The budget is one of the most leveraged tools at the disposal of a school district to close the student opportunity gap. Too often budgets practices drive rather than facilitate educational decisions. Practices based on principles of equality rather than equity ignore student need and short-change historically marginalized student populations.
Performance management.
An equity audit is just the starting point for a school district’s equity journey. It provides the map but the responsibility of sustaining culturally proficient schools and equitable ecosystems is a never ending trip that requires measuring and monitoring. Equity performance metrics are critical in district operating plans, school improvement plans and leadership and staff performance evaluations.
Talent management.
Evidence shows the importance of black teachers to the achievement of black boys. The research is clear that organizations with a diverse staff are more innovative and successful. The talent management continuum, from recruitment, hiring, on-boarding, compensation, evaluation, retention to career ladder, must be designed with cultural proficiency and equity at the forefront.
Family and community partnerships.
Over 50 years of research has shown that when parents are involved, regardless of race, ethnicity, language, or socioeconomic status, children succeed in school. Family involvement is a shared responsibility of schools, families, and communities for student achievement. Equitable schools look beyond traditional definitions of parent involvement to a broader conception of parents as full partners in the education of their children, and ensure access and equity are ingrained in partnership activities.