Equity Audits and Trainings
Success for All

Equity Audits and Trainings

“Equity isn’t just a slogan. It should transform the way we educate kids.” 

                                                                                                                                           — Dr. Pedro Noguera

2020 offered schools an unprecedented opportunity to change course in ways that are truly revolutionary for our students.  CMSi has always believed that schools are pivotal arenas for social change; it’s in our schools that we have the greatest opportunity to level the playing field and give all students the opportunity to learn more, do more, be more, and it’s in our schools where we can begin the work of reconciliation and healing.  All of this happens at the most grassroots level possible:  with kids and families and communities.  To effect this kind of change, we need to know what is and isn’t working: whether access to curriculum and programs is equal for all, who among our students needs the most targeted assistance, and where we need to direct our resources for maximum benefit.  Most of all, we need clear, actionable steps we can take to improve processes and systems so they can meet each learner at his or her point of need.  CMSi offers two services to help districts begin the process of addressing systemic inequities.

The CMSi Equity Audit:  All CMSi audits have an equity component, but the CMSi Equity Audit focuses exclusively on equity.  It offers a comprehensive evaluation of a school district’s processes, plans, and procedures for monitoring and assuring equity and equality in its treatment of and services to students.  The equity audit is an unbiased, objective review that provides not only feedback regarding the status of equity and equal access in school districts, but also a plan with detailed actions and recommended steps to establish goals and processes to assure equity, monitor it, and thereby improve learning for all students.

The CMSi Equity Audit can provide feedback on the following aspect of district operations:

  • Analysis of policy and plans for comprehensive direction concerning equity and equal access
  • Disaggregation of data to determine subgroup performance (program enrollment, F/R lunch, ethnicity, gender) and change in achievement gaps over time (when data allow)
  • Review of assessment data to determine differences in performance across schools and student sub-groups, based on FRL data, student ethnicity, and program enrollment (Gifted/talented, Special Education, ELL)
  • Proportionality of program enrollments (Gifted/talented, Special Education, AP, etc.) and discipline data to see if subgroups are over- or under-represented
  • Analysis of student work, by school site where possible, to determine differences in the cognitive demand and alignment of selected assignments, based on student demographics of different schools.
  • Analysis of curriculum guides and student work for evidence of inclusive content that represents multiple perspectives and includes diverse voices and utilizes engaging, relevant activities to help students make and express meaning and think critically about the content.
  • Analysis of curriculum documents, for evidence of support for culturally responsive teaching or other district-led initiatives aimed at leveling the playing field for students and assuring equal access to content and programming.
  • Ethnic composition of district personnel, including school leaders, teachers, and central office administration, to determine if the district is hiring to more closely reflect the ethnic composition of student body.
  • Analysis of resource allocation, to determine if additional resources, both material and human, are allocated to areas of greater need.

Districts that serve students most effectively balance equity with equality, depending on the demonstrated need of their students. CMSi can help your district determine where and how to deploy resources to improve results and where to best target policy, procedures, and professional development efforts to ensure system-wide focus on closing achievement gaps and improving learning for all students.

Addressing Equity:  Tools to Level the Playing Field

Recommended for: Superintendents, District Administrators, Principals

Many equity trainings go one of two ways:  they either condemn people and leave them feeling angry or defensive, or they leave participants inspired but unsure how to enact change.  This two-day training goes beyond talking about social justice issues and individual attitudes and focuses instead on the practical steps needed to achieve structural equity in school systems.  Participants in this training will leave equipped with the tools needed to: 1) identify systemic inequities that serve as a bar to student success, and 2) identify actions needed to remove them.  This course provides perspective on:

  • How to identify inequities in your system
  • Current and historical statistics on racial inequity and systemic barriers
  • The role of written curriculum in ensuring equal access
  • The true purpose of Culturally Responsive Instruction, and
  • What key actions will move your district toward equity for all students.

Addressing Equity moves past the theoretical to the concrete steps necessary to remedy inequities so that all students have equal access to a high quality, cognitively challenging and engaging education, no matter their race, gender, or income level.   The focus is on improving learning for all students, but especially those who are historically underserved in schools.

Contact Us today for more information. We would be honored to partner with you in ensuring equity for your students.