MCSD EQUITY UPDATE

Presented by Sergio Sanchez

K-12 Math and ESOL Program Specialist

Educational Equity and ADA Coordinator

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Where and How?

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Where do we stand in closing the achievement gap and in providing minority access to higher level classes?

What is our focus? What are we going to do differently?

Achievement Gap Defined

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Based on percentage of White students scoring Level 3 and above on grades 3-10 Math and Reading FCAT compared to their Black and Hispanic counterparts.

How is the Gap computed?

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Example: 40 white students take the Reading test and 30 score a level 3 or higher. The percent proficient is 75%. 30 Hispanic students take the test and 15 score level 3 or higher. The percent proficient is 50%. The gap is the difference between the two, or in this case, 25%.

MCSD Achievement Gap for Grades 3-10 Based on 2008 FCAT

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Gap in Reading between Whites and African Americans is 37%(unchanged) Rank 59/67-was 62/67

Gap in Reading between Whites and Hispanics is 20% (gap narrowed 1%) Rank 45/67-was 49/67

Gap in math between Whites and African Americans is 37% (gap narrowed 3%) Rank 49/67-was 63/67

Gap in math between Whites and Hispanics is 17% (gap narrowed 3%) Rank 48/67-was 51/67

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Access Issues

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Algebra 1 Honors – Black students still underrepresented but Middle Schools principals are on board. Expect improvement.

Advanced Placement Courses (AP) – improvement apparent and strategies in place. See District Equity Plan Update (pp 6-06,7-07 Algebra; pp 8-06,9-07 AP)

AP Enrollment 2007-08

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Whites 81% (276)

Blacks 5% (17) Increase from 10 to 17

Hispanics 14% (47) Increase from 30 to 47

College Board's Policy on AP student Selection

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"All students who are willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum should be considered for admission to AP courses. The Board encourages the elimination of barriers that restrict access to AP courses for students from ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the AP Program. Schools should make every effort to ensure that their AP classes reflect the diversity of their student population."

What is Our Focus?

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To support targeted schools and teachers with strategies and resources designed to close the Gap.

What Are We Going to Do Differently?

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Major math and reading initiatives at SSE, MHS, and HOB.

Key on specific teachers Key on specific schools More aggressive effort to have all

teachers take the Harvard Bias Quiz Partner with College Board in an effort to

increase SAT scores and increase minority participation in AP classes.

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Do we have the will? Do we have the courage?