1. What’s the “Buzz” ? Tell me what’s happening.
Journey into Equity
What’s the “Buzz” ?
Tell me what’s happening.

2. Goals for our Time Together
1.To begin a conversation about the District 117 culture and its impact on Equity 2. To examine pathways to achieve Equity in District 117 using theoretical frameworks (Cultural Proficiency – Randall Lindsey and Culturally Relevant Teaching – Gloria Ladson-Billings) 3. To begin to think about Next Steps in your Journey

3. The Theories of Randall B. Lindsey

4. The 5 Essential Elements of Cultural Proficiency
Assessing cultural knowledge
Valuing diversity
Managing dynamics of difference
Adapting to diversity
Institutionalizing cultural knowledge

5. The Guiding Principles of Cultural Proficiency
Culture is a predominate force; you cannot not have culture
People are served in varying degrees by the dominant culture
The group identity of individuals is as important as their individual identities
Diversity within cultures is vast and significant
Each group has unique cultural needs
The family, as defined by each culture, is the primary system of support in the education of children
Marginalized populations have to be at least bicultural, and this status creates a distinct set of issues to which the system must be equipped to respond
Inherent in cross-cultural interactions are dynamics that must be acknowledged, adjusted to and accepted
The school system must incorporate cultural knowledge into practice and policymaking

6. Who Are You?
What would a sociologist discover if they did an ethnographic study of your school?
With a partner, write down 5 things that are characteristics of the “culture” of your school.
Combine with another pair and expand your list or place an asterisks by items that you have in common.
As a table, discuss your lists and talk about the artifacts that would be evidence of the cultural attributes you have agreed upon.

7. What is Equity?
Think about the word equity in the context of students and schooling.
Write a one sentence definition on a notecard
Now, one at a time read what is on your card (If you have the same things someone else has – read it anyway)

8. How Do You Know if You are on the right Path?
Review the Rubric at your table

9. Windows and Mirrors
Let’s look at one bloggers perspective about unhealthy practices around Equity

10. Process the Student Voices
What was familiar to you as you listened to the students?
What was something the students said that caused you to think differently about this issue?
What challenged you about the student’s perspective?
Have you or would you talk with your own students about Equity and Race?

11. The Theory of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy - Dr. Gloria Ladson Billings
Culturally relevant pedagogy rests on three criteria or propositions:
1. Students must experience academic success
2. Students must develop and/or maintain cultural competence
3. Students must develop a critical consciousness through which they challenge the status quo of the current social order

12. Process the Impact in the Classroom
What examples did you see of:
Students experiencing academic success
Students developing or maintaining cultural competency
Students develop a critical consciousness through which they can challenge the status quo
Brainstorm with Your Tablemates ways that you can become more Culturally Responsive
List some of the Barriers to Creating a Culturally Relevant Environment
Let’s Share

13. Hopes and Fears Write Down 1 Fear that you have about this work
Write down 1 Hope you have about this work
Let’s Share out in the room

14. Next Steps
With a Partner, come up with a “Try tomorrow” based on our work today