Federal Way School District Announces Equity & Achievement Task Force
First meeting to be held July 24
The Federal Way School District has announced the appointment of a 20-member Equity & Achievement Task Force, made up of ethnic group representatives, education officials, business and civic leaders, students, parents and others. The Task Force follows the May release of a report showing disparities in students' achievement along demographic groups. Performance of African American and Hispanic students, in particular, was disproportionate to their percentage of the population when measuring academic achievement, advanced programs enrollment, special needs programs enrollment and disciplinary action.
Upon receipt of this data, the School Board authorized the appointment of Alma Dansby to head a new Office of Equity & Achievement, as well as the appointment of a community-based task force to explore these issues and develop recommendations. "We know this is not jut a school issue, but rather a community issue," said Superintendent Tom Murphy. "For this reason we have created a special Equity & Achievement Task Force to work closely with me and Ms. Dansby over the next several months."
Four factors are typically cited for students' poor school performance: poverty, mobility, cultural barriers and parent access and involvement. A recent study by the Washington School Research Center reinforced the view that family income is a greater predictor of students' chances for academic success. Nonetheless, cultural issues play a large factor, and these issues will be explored by the task force. The group also will examine the role of communication, and identify to what extent gaps between teachers and students trying to understand each other and different students' learning styles are at the root of these problems.
In addition to hearing from experts, the Task Force will conduct "listening forums" to hear from parents, students and teachers. They also will review other groups' initiatives to identify best practices, which might be adopted, as well as conduct outreach to ethnic communities.
Additionally, the task force will receive comments from community members via a special page on its website, http://www.fwsd.wednet.edu/info/equity/.
The Task Force is expected to work aggressively through the summer and early fall, and present recommendations for curriculum enhancement, staff development and parent involvement to the School Board in October.
Task force meetings will be held at the Educational Services Center, 31405 18th Avenue South, Federal Way, on the following dates (preliminary schedule):
- Tuesday, July 24, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 8, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 28, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 9, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
While these sessions will be working meetings of the task force and are not specifically designed for public input, the public may attend and listen to the proceedings. Meeting notes will be posted on the web site within one week of each meeting. Additional sessions and listening forums will be scheduled for September.
Superintendent Murphy said it will be important that the task force avoid jumping to conclusions and to resist broad generalizations. "These are very complex issues, and represent societal problems and a system that has been in place for many, many years -- a system that may not have changed with our times. What's important to do now is to close the gap, and create an environment where all students have the access and equity needed to succeed."
Previously Dansby served as principal at Lake Dolloff Elementary School in Auburn, a position she held since 1997. Prior to this she served in teaching and administrative positions at elementary and junior high schools throughout the area. Earlier in her career she served as a cultural enrichment specialist and developed, implemented and taught a multi-cultural curriculum to elementary school students. She obtained a bachelor's degree in Economics and her teaching certificate from Pacific Lutheran University. She also obtained a Masters in Education from Washington State University and a K-12 Administrative Certificate from the Danforth Principal Preparation Program at the University of Washington.
Editor's Notes:
(1) The full Task Force membership and the May report can be accessed via the website http://www.fwsd.wednet.edu/info/equity
(2) Media, please let us know if you plan to attend the July 24 meeting.
July 19, 2001