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School climate action research: Case study in addressing racial inequities
Jason Johnston Mariolga Reyes Cruz
Andrea Gonzalez Jeana DeckerSascha Meinrath Erica MattisonAndrew Rasmussen Megan Radek
Amanda ReidNatasha Watkins
Overview
Historical background Peterkin Equity Audit Why study perceived school climate? Summary of climate study process Summary of climate study results Conclusions / Recommendations District Responses New Ethnographic Research
General History August 1996
Office of Civil Rights initiated a proactive compliance review. January 1997
Complaint filed with OCR against the district. It alleged discriminatory and illegal practices surrounding student assignment, within-school segregation of students, student discipline, and staff hiring. OCR incorporated these allegations into their compliance review. OCR results lead to Peterkin audit.
September 1997 District reached agreement with complainants on student
assignment issues through the development of a "controlled choice" plan.
General History (continued)
July 1998 District reached agreement with complainants on issues related to
equity. Peterkin audit presented to the Board of Education.
September 1998 District signed Resolution Agreement with the Office of Civil Rights. This agreement, among many other things, called for a study of
the school climate.
July 2000 Suit filed in Federal court .
Peterkin Equity Audit
During 1997, the Board of Education of Unit #4 resolved to examine the district to better understand and evaluate the performance of the schools.
It was determined that this examination should focus on the ability of all students in the district to share equitably in the opportunities offered.
OCR & Peterkin Audits Focus on Six Major Areas
Enrollment, Mobility, & Attendance Gifted, Talented, & Advanced Placement Programs Special Education Discipline & Suspensions Student Achievement Staffing & Hiring
Enrollment, Mobility, & Attendance
Finding There is a drop-off in African American enrollment
from 38% in elementary to 23% in high school There is a drop-off in African Americans’
attendance across school levels, from a mean of 171 days/year among elementary students, 168 middle, and 159 high school.
Bottom 10% of all students missed 18 or more school days, with 10% of African American students missing 36 days or more.
Peterkin Equity Findings - Gifted
1995-1996 School Year: Giftedness—Elementary School
Elementary school population
69%Non
AfricanAmerican
31% African
American
Gifted population
99% Non African
American
1% African
American
Peterkin Equity Findings - A.P.
1992-1993 School Year: Advanced Placement—High School
High school A.P. population
8% African
American Advanced Placement students
92% Non
African American
High school student population
71%Non African American
29% African-
American
Peterkin Equity Findings
1993-1996 Entire student population
68% Non
African American
32% African
American
1993-1996: District-wide cases of Special education and behavior/emotional disordered classification
44%61%
39%56%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Special education Behavior/emotionaldisordered% Non African American
% African American
Peterkin Equity Findings - Discipline
1996-1997 Entire student population
68% Non
African American
32% African
American
1996-1997 School Year: Discipline—District-wide
1996-1997 Suspension rates
37% Non
African American 63%
African American
Peterkin Equity Findings - Dropout
1992-1993 School Year: Dropout and Graduation Rates
1992-1993 High school student population
71% Non African American
29% African
American
1992-1993 Dropout rates
48% Non African American
52% African
American
In 1992-1993, 94% of African American students graduated high school.
Peterkin Equity Findings - Staffing
1996-1997 School Year: Equity in Staff Representation
1996-1997 Entire student population
68% Non African American
32% African
American
1996-1997 Teaching staff
91% Non African American
9% African
American
Similarly, African Americans only made up 18% of the administrative staff in this school year.
Why Study Perceived School Climate?
Negative student perceptions of the school climate are associated with:
Poor scholastic achievement Higher rates of behavioral difficulties Higher rates of absenteeism / drop-out Lower levels of school satisfaction Lower levels of student self-esteem
Framing the issues I feel everything that has happened to the Unit
4 schools in the past 2-3 years has been a gross overreaction to a few people’s perception that there is rampant racism in public school
I am saddened by the amount of time, energy and money diverted from the educational process by this controversy. It is distressing that a few attention seeking individuals can detract from the true mission of our schools
Samples
Survey data were collected from: Students:
90% of all 3rd through 12th grade students in attendance on days survey administered (6-12th grade N=3711)
Staff: 75% of all school building staff (N=814)
Parents: 35% of all parents (N=2012)
Fear of talking about race, unfairness and racism
Talking about racism just tends to enlarge the problems evolving around it.
This survey was unhealthy and the one you are giving the students is worse! We … [should not] make children and teachers answer questions that put the idea of unfairness in their heads -- this is sad and whoever thinks this is for the good of Unit 4 needs to think again.
Fear of talking about race, unfairness and racism (cont).
We need to educate by working together for the good of each student rather than trying to find fault…
I think [blacks] are looking for someone to blame…
I felt this [survey] was extremely anti-White. NOW LET’S TALK ABOUT RACISM.
This survey and the very existence of this survey is insulting to our professional staff.
Fear of talking about race, unfairness and racism (cont).
If racism is such an important issue in our schools, why do you want to know my race? Is it really necessary?
Survey Design
Input regarding survey questions was obtained from:
District- and school-level administrators Representatives of the teachers’ union PTA council School board members Champaign students Community leaders
Themes from Community Meetings
The importance of fairness in discipline and academic programs
Beliefs about why some students perform poorly in school (economic, family)
The need to address racial inequities in the district
The importance of community and parent participation in schools
The importance of cultural awareness
Dimensions of Climate Generally Viewed Positively
Influence Trust & Respect School-Parent Contact Importance of Parent Involvement Encouragement of Parent Involvement Barriers to Parent Involvement
Dimensions of Climate Viewed Differently Across Race
Fairness Cultural Understanding Qualities of Desegregated Schools Need for Change
General Fairness
Definition: Perception that all students are treated fairly.
All students are treated well in my school, even if their grades are good or bad.
African American students are treated fairly at my school.
My teachers treat students of all races fairly.
Academic Fairness
Definition: Perception that access to academic programs is fair.
African Americans make up 38% of Champaign’s elementary school population and 3% of elementary school gifted and talented enrollment. This shows that African American students are treated unfairly.
Parallel item for special education.
Fairness in Discipline
Definition: Perception that discipline is administered fairly.
African Americans make up one third of Champaign’s student population and almost two thirds of suspensions. This shows that African American students are treated unfairly.
Certain students are unfairly singled out for disciplinary action.
Student Perceptions of Fairness by Race
African American high school students see the schools as less fair than White students
Difference holds across three fairness domains
Also holds for middle school students
34 32 35
16
7
17
05
10152025303540
Gener
al
Acad
emic
Disciplin
e
% D
isag
ree
Fair
African American White
Parent Perceptions of Fairness by Race
African American parents see the schools as less fair than White parents
Difference holds across three fairness domains
2023
14
62
5
05
10152025
Gener
al
Acad
emic
Disciplin
e
% D
isag
ree
Fair
African American White
Staff Perceptions of Fairness by Race
African American staff see the schools as less fair than White staff
Difference holds across three fairness domains
25
46
34
2 6 4
01020304050
Gener
al
Acad
emic
Disciplin
e
% D
isag
ree
Fair
African American White
What does it mean to treat children fairly?
For many, fairness requires equal treatment.
If a rule is broken, you pay the consequence. End of story. (parent)
The kids acting up are the ones getting suspended. (parent)
Students are disciplined because of their ACTIONS - NOT color. (teacher)
What does it mean to treat children fairly? (cont.)
For many, fairness requires equal treatment.
Encourage black students to strive harder and believe they are gifted but don’t just give it to them. (parent)
If the kids aren’t trying or don’t want to do better at school they can’t (or shouldn’t) be put in gifted programs just to make the numbers and people happy. (parent)
What does it mean to treat children fairly? (cont.)
For many, equal treatment means ignoring race, or being “colorblind.”
The staff and administration at... [this] school treat all children alike. A child is a child--not a Black child or White child, not an Asian child, etc! All children must be treated fairly and equally. (staff)
What does it mean to treat children fairly? (cont.)
For many, equal treatment means ignoring race, or being “colorblind.”
My child does not see people of color in a different way. He was raised that everyone is equal. (parent)
Cultural Understanding
Definition: Perceptions that teaching styles are culturally relevant at their school.
Teachers at this school take students’ cultural backgrounds into account when teaching.
Teachers at this school understand what life in students’ neighborhoods is like.
Student Perceptions of Cultural Understanding by Race
Neither African American nor White high school students perceive that Champaign teachers show cultural understanding
0
5
10
15
20
25
Teachers Show Cultural Understanding
% A
gre
e
African American White
Parent Perceptions of Cultural Understanding by Race
Higher proportions of White than African American parents perceive that Champaign teachers show cultural understanding
25
38
0
10
20
30
40
Teachers Show Cultural Understanding
% A
gre
e
African American White
Staff Perceptions of Cultural Understanding by
Race
Most White staff perceive that Champaign teachers show cultural understanding
Few African American staff agree
15
61
0
20
40
60
80
Teachers Show Cultural Understanding
% A
gre
e
African American White
Perceptions of Desegregated Schools
Definition: Perceptions of the importance of:
Teaching cultural sensitivity Proportional representation of African
American’s among faculty & administrators
Inclusion of African American perspectives in all educational material and curricula
Parent Perceptions of Desegregated Schools
Nearly half of African American parents perceive proportional representation and curriculum change as very important
Few White parents agree; 1/2 see it as not important
0%
50%
100%
Afr. American White
Not importantSomewhat ImportantVery Important
Staff Perceptions of Desegregated Schools
Most African American staff perceive proportional representation and curriculum change as very important
Few White staff agree; 25% see it as not important
0%
50%
100%
Afr. American White
Not importantSomewhat ImportantVery Important
Need for Change
Definition: Perceptions of the need to change the school system to better address racial inequities.
The school district should reduce the difference in gifted and talented enrollment that exists between Black and White students.
This school should spend more time teaching about non-White cultures.
Student Perceptions of Need for Change by Race
Substantially larger percentages of African American than White students perceive a need for change
42
8
0
1020
3040
50
Need for Change to Better Address Racial
Inequities%
Agre
e
African American White
Parent Perceptions of Need for Change by Race
Nearly half of all African American parents perceive a need for change
Few White parents agree
49
7
0
20
40
60
Need for Change to Better Address Racial
Inequities%
Agre
e
African American White
Staff Perceptions of Need for Change by Race
Most African American staff perceive a need for change
Few White staff agree
53
6
0
20
40
60
Need for Change to Better Address Racial
Inequities%
Agre
e
African American White
Conclusions In many respects there are two climates in
Champaign Schools Existing racial disparities negatively impact
student performance & perceptions Most White parents and staff do not see a need
for the district to change to better address racial disparities
Need to overcome resistance to change There are encouraging signs upon which to
build
Recommendations Increase the cultural competence of teaching staff. Create forums to discuss the climate study results
and make recommendations. Hire more African American regular classroom
teachers. Develop incentives to reward teachers who teach
children of diverse backgrounds well. Develop incentives for teachers to learn from
colleagues who demonstrate success teaching students of diverse backgrounds.
Recommendations (continued)
Reduce and eventually eliminate all ability based tracking.
Establish goals and strategies to reduce the overall number of disciplinary and special education referrals.
Implement in-school programs to educate students about issues of race, culture and ethnicity.
New Ethnographic Project
The overarching goal of the project is, together with members of CARE-3, to engage in an ethnographic collaborative action research project which aims to improve the social climate of district schools, and thereby help to eliminate race based inequities.
New Ethnographic Project Aims
To analyze, make explicit, test, and refine CARE-3's emerging (and still largely implicit) theory of action (how to effect change);
To expose the barriers and sources of resistance to community participation and control over educational decision making, in particular to examine ways in which power operates, is created and is maintained (among those both inside and outside of the schools);
New Ethnographic Project Aims
To describe the processes by which community voice and expertise come to penetrate resistance and barriers that inhere in the institutionalized practices and structures of the school district; and,
To describe how community participation in district decision making contributes to district stakeholders’ understanding of educational inequities across race.
Peterkin Equity Findings
High School : 1992-1993 & 2000-2001 School Year
1992-1993 Advanced Placement
8% African
American
92%Non
African American
2000-2001 Advanced Placement
92%Non
African American
8% African-
American
Not much change since 1992. Only 8% of African American high school students are in the Advanced
Placement program.
Peterkin Equity Findings
Elementary School: 1995-1996 & 2000-2001 School Year
1995-1996Gifted Students
99% Non
African American
1% African
American
2000-2001 Gifted students
87%Non
African American
13% African-
American
A higher percentage of elementary school students in 2000-2001 are considered gifted, compared to 1995-1996, but is this
enough?
Peterkin Equity Findings
Middle School: 1995-1996 & 2000-2001 School Year
18% 19%
81%82%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
Gifted languagearts/ social
studies
Giftedmath/ science
% Non African American
% African-American
3%2%
97%98%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
Gifted languagearts/ social
studies
Giftedmath/ science
% Non African American
% African-American
Peterkin Equity Findings
District-wide cases of Special education and behavior/emotional disordered classification: 1993-1996 & 2000-2001
44%61%
39%56%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Special education Behavior/emotionaldisordered% Non African American
% African American
47%57%
43%53%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Special education Behavior/emotionaldisordered% Non African American
% African American
Peterkin Equity Findings
1996-1997 School Year: Discipline—District-wide
1996-1997 Suspension rates
63%
African America
n
37% Non
African America
n
2000-2001 Suspension Rates
75%
African America
n
25% Non
African America
n
It’s even worse now than it was 5 years ago!
Peterkin Equity Findings
Dropout and Graduation Rates: 1992-1993 & 2000-2001 School Year
1992-1993 Dropout rates
48% Non
African America
n
52%
African America
n
Worse yet, in 2000-2001, the African American graduation
rate was only 85%.
2000-2001 Dropout rates
47% Non
African America
n
53%
African America
n
Peterkin Equity Findings
Equity in Staff Representation: 1996-1997 & 2000-2001
Almost no gains. Embarrassing.
10%African
American
20%African
American
90%Non
AfricanAmerican
80%Non
African American
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Administrative staff Teaching staff
9%African
American
18%African
American
91%Non
AfricanAmerican
82%Non
African American
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Administrative staff Teaching staff
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