Beyond EquityContinuous Improvement in
Washington Township Schools
WT Students – Who We Serve
● 11,068 Students
○ 4,806 Elementary
○ 2,497 Middle School
○ 3,765 High School
● Student Demographics:○ 30% White Students
○ 70% Students of Color
(40% Black, 20% Hispanic, 6% Multi-Racial, 4% Asian)
● 61% Living in Poverty (according to the Federal Government)
● Homeless Students = 396● English Language Learners = 1600
○ 77 Native languages spoken by students
● Refugee Students = 300
● Students receiving special education supports = 2,184
● Students served in high ability programming = 1,398
• Spanish Instruction & Dual Language Immersion (Eled.)
• HBCU Tour & College Fair (HS)
• Cohort & Bridge - Academic Support Group to Students of Color (HS)
• AVID Class - Mission to close the achievement gap focusing on student success skills,
honors placement, and college readiness (MS)
• Black History Club (HS)
• Ladies First - Targets female students of color for community building (HS)
• Social Worker & Mental Health Provider - Each building has these supports to address
the social and emotional needs of all students (All Schools)
• Tutoring before and after school opportunities (HS)
• After school remediation (Eled.)
• Access to weekly additional academic support before school (MS)
• After school enrichment activities (Eled.)
• School Choice - Based on enrollments (All Schools)
• ENL STEM Club (Eled.)
• Minority Council (Eled.)
WT Student Services Offered for Equity
Achievement of Hispanic students as well as our racial
achievement gap needs to improve.
*Data represent a comparison of 11 school districts across Indiana with similar enrollment
size (10,000+) and demographic representation (50% + majority-minority and at least 50% +
Free and/or Reduced Lunch). School Districts compared are Elkhart, Fort Wayne, Hammond,
IPS, Lawrence, Pike, Perry, South Bend, Warren, Washington, Wayne.
We are growing all of our students more than one academic
year annually in both reading and math, but a racial gap still
exists and improvement is needed.
*Data are based on NWEA scores for WT students only.
8th ILEARN Math for Hispanic Students
8th Graduation rate difference between White & Students of Color
10th Graduate Rate for Hispanic Students
10th ISTEP+ Grade 10 ELA & Math for Hispanic Students
11th ILEARN Proficiency difference between Whites & Students of Color
Subgroup NWEA Reading NWEA Math
Black 1.2 1.3
Hispanic 1.2 1.2
Multiracial 1.8 1.8
White 1.9 2.4
Areas of Improvement Needed inAchievement for Students of Color
1st IREAD for Black students
1st IREAD for Hispanic students
1st ILEARN ELA for Black students
1st ILEARN SCI for All subgroups of students
1st Graduation Rate for Multiracial students
2nd ILEARN ELA for Multiracial students
2nd ISTEP+ Grade 10 Math for Black students
2nd ISTEP+ Grade 10 ELA & Math for Multiracial students
3rd ILEARN Math for Black students
4th Graduation Rate for Black students
WT has the top academic performance in the state (when
compared to 11 districts with similar enrollment &
demographics) for:
● Black student achievement in Reading, English Language
Arts, Math
● IREAD scores for students of color
● Science achievement for all students
*Data represent a comparison of 11 school districts across Indiana with similar enrollment size
(10,000+) and demographic representation (50% + majority-minority and at least 50% + Free
and/or Reduced Lunch). School Districts compared are Elkhart, Fort Wayne, Hammond, IPS,
Lawrence, Pike, Perry, South Bend, Warren, Washington, Wayne.
Areas of Success in
Achievement for Students of Color
WT Continuous Improvement Efforts are Beyond Equity
Current Action Steps for Creating Equitable Classrooms
Cultural Responsivity Training - All Staff Alternatives to Suspension & Expulsion
Programs established
Emphasis on small group guided instruction at
all levels
Implicit Bias Training Data-informed and differentiated instruction at
all levels
Classroom Management Plan Development and
Training
School-based equity teams Added district social and emotional coaches Tiered Academic and Behavior Intervention
Support System Analysis and Training
Intercultural Development Inventory
Completion - All School & District Leaders
Responsive Classroom Ongoing Training -
Elementary
Added Social Workers
Stakeholder focus groups - Revised District Code
of Conduct
Developmental Designs Ongoing Training -
Secondary
Universal Proactive Discipline Framework
implemented and routinely monitored
● 2020 District Strategic Plan○ Academics – Provide an educational environment that inspires and empowers all students to increase academically and social
emotionally
○ Diversity and Equity – Advance a District culture that values diversity and equity and is representative and supportive of the
students and families we serve
○ Partnerships – Strengthen our partnerships with students, families, and community stakeholders to achieve our mission of
academic success for all students
● May 5, 2020 Referenda:○ Alternative programs expansion
○ Transitional kindergarten programs
○ Equitable facilities for all schools
○ Additional staff positions to support students services and academics
○ Improve teacher recruitment and retention through competitive wages
○ Lowering counselor/student ratio
○ Create Equity Specialist position
Future Support to Move Beyond Equity in WT Schools
Call to Action – It Takes A VillageWe appreciate your engagement in this important area impacting students in WT Schools and look forward to your support as we strive for continuous improvement beyond equity.
❏ Volunteer to mentor/tutor a student before or after school
❏ Partner with us to provide support programs for our students after school
❏ Volunteer to support our 21st Century Scholars Program for students
❏ Support funding or sponsorship for administrator, teacher and staff professional development and
training
❏ Provide resources to staff regarding moving beyond equity (videos, training materials, books, etc.)
❏ Volunteer to support in our classrooms during the school day
❏ Participate in our district Beyond Equity Coalition being formed to have ongoing conversations in
order to develop additional strategies
❏ Serve on a school improvement committee to assist with continuous improvement efforts
❏ Connect us to large urban public school systems who have closed the racial achievement gap
❏ Other:
Life's most persistent and urgent question is,“What are you doing for others?" MLKPlease complete the “Call to Action - It Takes a Village” sign-up form before you leave.