National Equity Project Organizational Overview formerly the Bay Area Coalition for Equitable Schools LaShawn Routé Chatmon Executive Director Photos © Kat Nyberg

We believe every child has a right to a quality education. We coach people to become the powerful leaders who make good on that promise.

Our Moral Imperative to Achieve Educational Equity The National Equity Project Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development. Kofi Annan

Our Mission To dramatically improve the achievement, experiences and life trajectory of students who have been historically underserved. The National Equity Project

Current Reality: An African American Male Born in a High Poverty Neighborhood….

7 times more likely to be born into poverty 4 times more likely to have parents with a high school education or less 4 times less likely to read at grade level in 4th grade 6 times more likely to drop out/pushed out of high school If a dropout, twice as likely to be unemployed, and 47 times more likely to be incarcerated by age 24 On average, likely to die 12 years earlier than his White peer born in an affluent part of town Persistent Racial Disparities in Life Options and Outcomes Neither geography nor race should determine his destiny.

How do WE address inequity and ensure every child’s preparedness for our collective future?

Address Root Causes, not Symptoms The National Equity Project “If poverty is a disease that infects the entire community in the form of unemployment and violence, failing schools and broken homes, then we can't just treat those symptoms in isolation. We have to heal that entire community.” President Barack Obama

Opportunity Gaps Underlie Achievement Gaps Healing the Broader Community To achieve educational equity for vulnerable children, there is a need to close the Opportunity Gap not just its manifestation, the Achievement Gap.

How the Opportunity Gap is Constructed Poverty and lack of social supports Limited early learning opportunities Re-segregation and unequal schooling Unequal access to qualified teachers Lack of access to a high quality curriculum Dysfunctional learning environments Linda Darling Hammond The Flat World and Education, 2010 The National Equity Project

What We’ve Learned The National Equity Project There’s a gap between our intention for a quality education for every child, and the actions we take and conditions we provide, that prevent students from succeeding to their full potential.

What We Do The National Equity Project We coach for educational equity. Coaching is the practice of instructing, provoking, guiding, and supporting people to achieve mutually agreed upon objectives that interrupt historical patterns of inequity.

What We Do The National Equity Project We provide coaching and leadership development services. We help you align your everyday practices with your values and intentions as an educator and leader. We are your partner in making good on the promise of a quality education for every child.

What We Do The National Equity Project We facilitate productive discourse about equity. We believe that honest conversations about the effects of biases are necessary, not to lay blame but to find better ways to educate every child.

What We Do The National Equity Project We listen and build mutually respectful relationships. Our coaches are highly trained to listen, observe, and customize approaches to individual client needs. We elicit solutions and strategies from the client, enhancing the leadership skills, resources, and creativity everyone possesses.

Coaching is our core practice in delivering the following services: Leading for Equity The National Equity Project Equity by Design Teaching for Equity

LEADERSHIP is the bridge between plans and effective actions. Strategic plans Policies Intentions The National Equity Project Implementation Practices Success! Leadership

Leading for Equity Overview Leading for Equity The National Equity Project Develops individual and collective leadership to understand, interrupt, and address the negative effects of Institutional & Structural Racism and create opportunities for every child.

Leading for Equity Overview Leading for Equity The National Equity Project Change the conversation Create a new vision Take bold & effective action

Addressing Racial (In)equity Is A Core Element of Our Approach It is difficult for many Americans to understand how our collective fates are linked and how the entire nation is harmed by the consequences of structural racism and racial hierarchy. If we do not engage a transformative dialogue…will continue to have a polarizing-rather than unifying-outcomes, and our democracy will suffer. john powell The National Equity Project Change the Conversation

Increased Understanding of the Role Structures Play in Reproducing Educational Inequity SCHOOL HUB Cultural, Language, & Heritage Services Nutrition & Physical Education Providers City Parks, Recreation, & Libraries Medical, Dental, & Health Services Mental Health Counseling and Mentoring Programs Post- Secondary Linking Programs Housing and Employment Services Parent/Family Childcare and Early Learning Programs Create a New Vision The National Equity Project

Oakland Unified School District 1999 Academic Performance Index The National Equity Project Take Bold & Effective Action

Oakland Unified School District 2009 Academic Performance Index The National Equity Project Take Bold & Effective Action

LFE Effects and Impacts: Measurable reductions in disparate outcomes Aligned contributions of partners (whole greater than the sum of its parts) Realigned structures and increased opportunities for children and families Leaders with skill and capacity to effectively lead change in their communities The National Equity Project

Recent Leading for Equity Partners Ready Schools Miami, Miami, FL KIPP Schools, New York, NY E3, Portland, OR Newberg Pubic Schools, Newberg, OR Roosevelt High School San Rafael City Schools, San Rafael CA San Francisco Unified School District, San Francisco, CA Kellogg Learning Labs, Albuquerque, New Mexico Kellogg Education & Learning Team, Battle Creek, MI The National Equity Project

Leading for Equity Testimonials The National Equity Project “I attend many training sessions. Many are good. Few are life- changing. The Nat’l Equity Project session was one of the few. You provided me with knowledge and gave me skills in developing leaders and teams who can change the conversation and transform instruction in our schools. Thank you for a visionary approach to training.” - Mary Jane Burke, Marin County Superintendent of Schools “Anti-racist approaches to education leadership require constant learning and re-training. I do not know of a more effective, progressive, and professional organization from which to draw practical learning on this topic that can be used ‘real time’ in the field.” - Salomé Portugal, School Support Manager, New Leaders New Schools “The Leading for Equity experience was more than I had imagined it would be! Amazing! Each of you made such a great contribution. I feel incredibly fortunate to be in this work with each of you. I look forward to all that is ahead.” - Mike Watenpaugh, Superintendent, San Rafael City Schools

Equity by Design: Current Services Equity by Design The National Equity Project 1.Listening Campaign 2.Equity Analysis 3.School Design 4.District Redesign 5.Team Development 6.Organizational Development 7.Executive Coaching

Equity by Design Our Approach Equity by Design The National Equity Project Equity by Design services help schools and nonprofits become more collaborative and democratic in their leadership, structures, operations, and communications. This improves adult culture and practice in order to reduce racial disparities in effects, impact, and outcomes.

Principal Testimonials The National Equity Project “This school would not exist if it were not for the Project. If someone tells me they want to start or redesign a school, I tell them they have to work with the National Equity Project – they create the conditions for success.” David Silver, Principal Think College Now CA Distinguished School

Teaching for Equity Overview Teaching for Equity The National Equity Project Coaches educators to assess and address problems of student learning by developing authentic, effective partnerships with vulnerable students to increase motivation and achievement.

Formative Assessment shifts educator focus from What is taught The National Equity Project What is learned to

Accomplishments Closing the Gap in English Proficiency: Three Long-term Oakland Elementary School Partners The National Equity Project

Teaching for Equity: Current Services Teaching for Equity The National Equity Project 1.IMPACT 2012 Inquiry Initiative 2.Teaching with a Cultural Eye Institutes & Engagements 3.Instructional Practice Development Services

Oakland Principal Testimonials The National Equity Project “I don’t think we’d be where we are today without the ongoing support of The National Equity Project. They have been a completely committed and vital partner… helped us tackle incredibly challenging issues and my Project coach has helped me personally be a more transformative leader.” Kimi Kean, Regional Executive Officer, Oakland Unified School District Former Principal, Acorn Woodland Elementary

Accomplishments Oakland Unified has been the most improved urban district in CA for the last 5 years. The National Equity Project

More Accomplishments Oakland Small Schools Movement Leadership Partnered in a three-way MOU with OUSD and Oakland Community Organizations to create new small schools in the city. Built and managed small schools “incubator” for 32 new small schools Facilitated community engagement for new schools Coached school design teams of teachers, parents, students in small school design, instructional practices, and data-based inquiry Developed and implemented a Principal Credentialing Program (LEAD: Leading for Equity, Achievement, and Democracy) with Cal State University East Bay. Trained more than 50 principal leaders. Advised central office on new district structures Granted over $13 million to new schools in Oakland Provided Leadership for Equity Institute and coaching to new school teams (change the discourse, set equity goals, develop action plans) The National Equity Project

More Accomplishments: Now in Eight States The National Equity Project