Root Cause and Equity Journey

  • For years, schools have focused on equality, aiming to provide an educational environment equal for all students. In recent times, that paradigm has shifted to equity, that is, giving everyone what they need to be successful. This shift is due in part to a better understanding of the importance of culturally-responsive education and the identification of disproportionality. Culturally-responsive education (CR-E) is an approach that recognizes the importance of including various cultural references in all aspects of learning. CR-E ensures that instruction and learning environment reflects the needs of all students to support their overall success.

    Currently, Gates Chili students are achieving at disproportionate, or different, rates. The work to overcome this disproportionality at Gates Chili has been methodical and strategic. The Root Cause Team examined district academic and behavior data, as well as the beliefs, policies, and practices contributing to disproportionality. From this rigorous research, this group worked with New York University to identify five improvement areas outlined in a strategic, multi-year plan to improve outcomes for all students.

    A common misconception is that when districts work on addressing academic disparities that they are lowering expectations for students. The district is not looking to lower expectations for students. In fact, just the opposite; the district seeks to create a system that is culturally-responsive and sustaining.

    Gates Chili’s efforts around culturally-responsive education align with the New York State framework for Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CR-SE). A core tenet of CR-SE is high expectations and rigorous instruction for all students.

     

    Fall 2018

    Administrators and building principals began in-depth equity training

    Summer 2019

    Additional administrators began training

    Fall 2019

    Gates Chili teachers, school-related professionals, Board of Education members and parents came together to form the Root Cause team

    Winter 2020

    Teachers, administrators and other staff members took part in in-depth equity training
    Fall 2020
    The Gates Chili Board of Education adopted a Moral Imperative
    Winter 2021 Based on the work of the Root Cause team and others, district leaders introduced a strategic, multi-year plan for equity, to improve outcomes for all students