Courageous Conversations About Race

On August 27, 2002 more than 5,000 Seattle Public Schools employees embarked on an unprecedented journey aimed at eliminating the achievement gap between students of different ethnic groups. In a four-hour training led by Glenn Singleton, a nationally recognized expert on diversity, the staff at every school and department in the district gathered to engage in Courageous Conversations About Race. During this program, they addressed how race impacts students and what teachers, principals, instructional aides and others can do to improve student learning across racial lines.

"Our mission at Seattle Public Schools is academic achievement for every student in every school," said Superintendent Joseph Olchefske. "As we transform schools to meet that goal, we have to confront issues of race and culture or we are not going to get where we need to go." Courageous Conversations is not a quick fix to disproportionality in public schools. It is an important part of solving this problem, it demonstrates Seattle Public Schools' ongoing commitment to eliminating the achievement gap and it is among many strategies being employed to ensure success for all students.

Singleton directed the training from Seattle Public Schools' Instructional Broadcast Center, where the Superintendent, Chief Academic Officer June Rimmer, education directors and other administrators assembled. The staff throughout Seattle Public Schools tuned into SPS-TV for prompts and questions about the role race plays in student learning. During the session, participants throughout the system - led by on-site facilitators -- examined challenging and thought-provoking topics regarding racism and equity.

These discussions continue today with more than 50 schools participating throughout the district. During the programs, participants address how race impacts students and what teachers, principals, instructional aides and others can do to improve student learning across racial lines. In addition to the Courageous Conversations, Glenn Singleton is training administrators, staff, the Action Committee and community members on understanding race, culture and ethnicity.

Courageous Conversations In the News

About Glenn Singleton
President & Founder, Pacific Education Group

Glenn Singleton hails from Baltimore, Maryland. A student of the public and independent school system, Singleton attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a B.A. in communications in 1986.

Singleton began his professional career as an admissions director at the University of Pennsylvania. Singleton left Pennsylvania in 1992 to study administration and policy analysis of higher education at the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University. Singleton served as a member of the admission committee for Stanford's graduate program.

Upon receiving his master's degree in 1993, Singleton founded Pacific Educational Group, Inc.* (PEG). As President, Singleton has appeared on ABC Television's Good Morning America, has produced and hosted Education Matters for cable access televisions, and has published numerous articles advocating school improvements which ensure equitable learning opportunities and results for underserved student populations.

Singleton's writings, trainings and presentations support educators in developing the requisite cultural proficiency necessary to appropriately serve our increasingly diverse schools and society. Singleton works with departments of education, county offices, districts, public schools and educational support services throughout the nation on issues of equity, standards, cultural competence, institutional racism, leadership, and community-building.

Singleton directs the San Diego Elementary Equity Project, the Bay Area Principal's Anti-Racism Initiative and numerous other Collaborative Action Research for Equity (C.A.R.E.) projects for districts throughout the state. Singleton designs and facilitates numerous in-service and professional development trainings for K-12 educators and support providers.

A resident of San Francisco, California, he is founder of Foundation for a College Education, a non-profit organization which assists students of color in their preparation for college. Singleton serves on the board of directors for Bay Area Coalition of Essential Schools.