Report to the Community: March 2003

“The district, from the top down, is saying no more excuses.”

Rickie Malone, Madrona K-8 School Principal

What Are the Next Steps?

• Continue working with the Disproportionality Action Committee to eliminate the achievement gap. It is a standing committee to advise the superintendent in strategies that will engage the entire Seattle community in partnership with the district to eliminate disporportionality. The committee researches, recommends and monitors the implementation of best practices that will support learning for all children and youth.

• Continue developing strategies for expanding public engagement with district and community. Focus on action planning and monitoring of issues related to eliminating disproportionality.

• Ensuring adherence to newly developed discipline standards. Discipline is inextricably linked to disproportionality in academic achievement. Students who are achieving, who are actively involved in their work and feel connected to their schools, are less likely to show up in discipline data. We have clarified guidelines governing how - and for what offenses - students are disciplined.

• Continue to attract, develop and retain a high performing, multi-cultural workforce to serve diverse students needs.

• Develop new Social Studies Curriculum standards to better emphasize diversity and multi-cultural perspectives.