Framework

Seven Conditions for Student Success

We operate with the understanding that equitable systems of education strive to create the following conditions in order to promote student success:

Culturally proficient, experienced teachers and staff
Recognition and cultivation of gifts, talents and interests
High expectations and support to meet those high expectations
Positive relationships with teachers and peers
A sense of belonging, empowerment, connection and identity safety
Rigorous, relevant and inclusive curriculum centering their language, racial and cultural identities
Well-maintained facilities that support state of the art instruction and support cultural identities and safety

Ten Practices for Organizational Transformation

Develop leadership for equity and inclusion
Practice transparent & effective communication with all stakeholders
Collect, analyze & use disaggregated data
Develop non-discriminatory, inclusive & supportive policies
Engage students & families
Engage all communities, particularly underserved & underrepresented
Apply research & evidence-based practices
Engage in ongoing cultural proficiency & inclusiveness development & training
Support & engage in culturally relevant teaching
Develop & implement equity-focused strategic planning, evaluation & budget allocations

Historically Underserved Students & Communities *

African American/Black Students - Lack of academic support for their success; disproportionately placed in ISS; district not supporting high outcomes; no systemic change to support participation in Gifted & Talented (GT); culture in classrooms for rigorous academics described as “oppressive and alienating;” and with low expectations.
Asian & Asian American Students - Microaggressions and bullying ignored in the system; unrealistic expectations; academic stressors; some students struggling academically, but undetected.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students - Provisions for supports intermittent at some schools; unaddressed academic needs.
Emerging Bilingual Students - Lack of translators & no timely translations; language access barriers unaddressed; multilingual programs inconsistent and not appropriately assessed; quality is inconsistent.
Hispanic/Latinx Students - Lack of academic support for their success; overly placed in ISS; district not supporting high outcomes; no systemic change to support participation in GT; culture in classrooms for rigorous academics described as “oppressive and alienating.
Immigrant Students - Religious bigotry, language access barriers; unidentified academic & social emotional support; disproportionately identified for special education services.
Indigenous Students - Failure to recognize & address concerns; racist & marginalizing language in curricula & racist mascots; peer pressure to deny identity; unaddressed bullying.
Girls/Young Women - Participation in STEM and some not encouraged and supported, no discussion of data or goal setting.
Students who are identified with mental, cognitive & physical disabilities - Needs unidentified at some schools; bullying unaddressed at some schools.
Refugee Students - Lack of language access; not enough people identifying needs at all schools; bullying unaddressed.
Students who identify as LGBTQIA+ - Unaddressed bullying & stress; not enough data collected to provide systemic change for support; system does not prepare teachers and staff to support students.
Students identified as Economically Disadvantaged - Lack of support with inexperienced teachers in Title I school; no systematic ways to support participation in rigorous courses; closing schools & disrupted school communities and learning.
Students who access Special Education Services - Not receiving appropriate and timely testing, supports & services; some have been “misplaced” and do not need services; disproportionately placed in ISS (or ISS alternatives); teacher shortages call quality of services into question; what are goals for graduation?
Students who are experiencing Homelessness and/or are in Foster Care - Not enough attention paid on how to communicate with caregivers.

* This evolving list has been generated by input from community stakeholders and identity group members.

Equity Action Plan

In partnership with students, community members, families, and staff, the Equity Action Plan outlines areas of growth and change for AISD. The Equity Action Plan was developed in 2019, publicly released in 2021, and archived in 2023 as it informed various district planning efforts, including the district strategic plan, the Long Range Plan, and the equity assessment.

For any further information on the office's work from 2019-2022, please reach out to Sundal Ali at sundal.ali@austinisd.org.