What is Equity?
Inequity Affects Schools
What Educators Can Do
What Educators Can Do

Racial disproportionality in education effects BIPOC in many ways. Due to the extent that racism is involved in our education system, knowing where to start in creating equity in education can be difficult. McIntosh and colleagues (2019) have created a presentation on how to build commitment in enhancing educational equity that may be a helpful place to start. He also has provided resources for enhancing PBIS with cultural responsiveness methods.

One major way students of color are disproportionately affected is discipline, which can lead to other negative affects in academic instruction. McIntosh and colleagues (2018) have created a five-point guide to address and prevent racial discipline disproportionality that focus on using discipline data to implement a multi-tiered, culturally responsive behavior framework (Livebinder version) and develop policies that promote disciplinary equity. The following resources will be arranged according to this five-point guide. Click the headings below to be redirected to resources related to each point:

1. Collect, Use, and Report Disaggregated Discipline Data

2. Implement a Behavior Framework that is Preventative, Multi-tiered, and Culturally Responsive

3. Use Engaging Instruction to Reduce the Opportunity (Achievement) Gap

4. Develop Policies with Accountability for Disciplinary Equity

5. Teach Strategies for Neutralizing Implicit Bias in Discipline Decisions

Related and Additional Resources

*As you navigate through this research and these resources, here are some reflection questions to keep in mind: Equity Reflection Questions

Resources for Enhancing Educational Equity

1. Collect, Use, and Report Disaggregated Discipline Data

  • NEW! Calculating Risk Ratios – How To
    • This document outlines the concept of risk ratios, the risk ratio equation, a calculation walkthrough example, and additional resources to explore.
  • NEW! Wisconsin RtI Center Risk Ratio Module
    • Recommended for District Coaches and Teams
    • This e-learning course helps schools define the general principle of risk ratio and explain how it can be applied to education. You’ll learn how to calculate your school’s own risk ratio and determine next steps. A free Excel-based risk ratio calculator can be downloaded here [The PPT starts with Wisconsin examples but the viewer can learn how to calculate their own risk ratios is found at the 4:37 mark].
  • NEW! Using Data (and Data Systems) to Address Discipline Disproportionality
    • Recommended for District Coaches and Teams
    • A recorded, introductory-level webinar reviewing the different types of data necessary for identifying equity issues within your school, highlighting important nuances inherent in many data systems, and providing tools and strategies for taking the next step towards more equitable outcomes. This webinar was given to School Climate Transformation Grant recipients originally.
  • NEW! Data Analyst’s Worksheet
    • Recommended for Teams
    • A worksheet to be used by the data analyst role before a team meeting using the Team Initiated Problem Solving Framework (TIPS). Use your academic or behavior data to create a snapshot view of your school’s performance overall (e.g., by grade level, intervention status, race/ethnicity, gender). 
  • PBIS: Using Discipline Data within SWPBIS to Identify and Address Disproportionality: A Guide for School Teams (2014)
    • Recommended for Teams
    • The purpose of this guide is to provide a reference for SWPBIS school teams in the use of discipline data (e.g., office discipline referrals, suspensions) in the area of racial and ethnic disproportionality in school discipline. The guide will describe a framework and steps for identifying levels of disproportionality, analyzing data to determine solutions, and monitoring the effectiveness of action plans in addressing disproportionality.
  • PBIS: Equity in School Discipline: Enhancing Commitment Through Teacher Training (2019)
    • Recommended for Teams and Teachers
    • This video is a short introduction into working with data to address specific times and locations associated with disproportionality along with an example of how a school analyzed their data and used it to make adjustments to their practices.
  • DE-PBS Major vs. Minor Behavior Resources
    • Recommended for Teams
    • This page contains a worksheet for determining major vs. minor behaviors, a behavior definition activity sheet, and an example from Harlan Elementary School.
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2. Implement a Behavior Framework that is Preventative, Multi-tiered, and Culturally Responsive

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3. Use Engaging Instruction to Reduce the Opportunity (Achievement) Gap

  • NEW! My Name, My Identity Mini Module
    • Recommended for Coaches and Teams
    • This DE-PBS mini-learning module (13 mins total) walks viewers through a brief introduction of the PBIS Cultural Responsiveness Field Guide and the role of promoting identity in a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS). The module then presents excerpts of a Gerardo Ochoa TED Talk that helps the viewer to better promote student identity in school through the use of students’ names and, therefore, culture. Lastly, the module orients viewers to the My Name, My Identity website, which has resources and ideas for prioritizing correct pronunciation of student names to promote belonging.
  • Examples of Engaging Instruction to Increase Equity in Education (2015)
    • Recommended for Teams and Teachers
    • This technical brief, based on the 5-point multicomponent approach to reduce disproportionality focuses on defining key principles of evidence-based instructional practices, and describing how academic instruction is related to equity in school discipline.
  • Racial Justice in Education: Resource Guide (2017)
    • Recommended for Teams and Teachers
    • This guide discusses the importance of racial equity in schools, teaches about how to create a space to talk about race in the classroom, tools for assessment, and strategic planning and action.
  • Creating the Space to Talk About Race in Your School
    • Recommended for Teachers
    • This website provides guidance on the ways an educator can create a space for staff and students to talk about race in the classroom.
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4. Develop Policies with Accountability for Disciplinary Equity

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5. Teach Strategies for Neutralizing Implicit Bias in Discipline Decisions

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Related and Additional Resources

  • Equity & Social and Emotional Learning: A Cultural Analysis. CASEL Frameworks Briefs (2018)
    • Recommended for Teams and Teachers
    • This document breaks down each core competency in terms of potential concerns  and potential opportunities regarding minority and marginalized communities. It also discusses promising approaches, programs, and practices as well as the importance of adult SEL and implications for assessment.
  • CASEL: Leveraging SEL to Promote Equity: What Educators Need to Know and Do (2018)
    • Recommended for Educators
    • This video provides insight to educational equity and the ways educators can incorporate SEL strategies in order to improve equitable educational environments for all students.
  • Applying an Equity Lens to Social, Emotional, and Academic Development (2018)
    • Recommended for Coaches and Teams
    • This document breaks down barriers that contribute to inequitable access to SEL education into systemic, institutional, and individual levels. It also discusses programs, initiatives, and policies to help address this issue.
  • Expelled: Racial Inequality in School Discipline 
    • Recommended for Teams and Teachers
    • This podcast by Kent McIntosh discusses the origins of disproportionality in school discipline and the interventions that should be used to reduce these disparities.
  • NASP: External Social Justice Resources (2020)
    • Recommended for Teams and Teachers
    • This website from NASP provides guides books, and podcasts for teachers, parents, students in elementary and secondary schools, discussion guides, and books to engage in learning, self-reflection and discussion around social injustice against BIPOC.
  • So You Want to Talk About Race? (2018)
    • Recommended for Teachers
    • This book, written by Ijeoma Oluo, discusses the many ways systemic race affects people of color and includes a few chapters about the negative impacts racial discrimination can have on students of color. She offers ways to have productive conversations about race.
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References

Anderson et al., (2014). Restorative Practices: Fostering healthy relationships & promoting positive discipline in schools: A guide for educators, 1-13. Retrieved from:  http://schottfoundation.org/sites/default/files/restorative-practices-guide.pdf

Chaparro, E. A., Nese, R. N. T., & McIntosh, K. (2015). Examples of engaging instruction to increase equity in education. OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. www.pbis.org.

Green, A., Nese, R. N. T., McIntosh, K., Nishioka, V., Eliason, B. M., & Canizal Delabra, A. (2015). Key elements of policies to address discipline disproportionality: A guide for district and school teams. Eugene, OR: Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. University of Oregon.

Jagers, R., Randall-Garner, P., Van Ausdal, K. (2018). Leveraging SEL to promote equity: What educators need to know and do. CASEL. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2bB-08hikM&feature=youtu.be

Jagers, R. J., Rivas-Drake, D., & Borowski, T. (2018). Equity & Social and Emotional Learning: A cultural analysis. CASEL Frameworks Briefs.

Leverson, M., Smith, K., McIntosh, K., Rose, J., & Pinkerman, S. (2019). PBIS cultural responsiveness field guide: resources for trainers and coaches. OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

McIntosh, K. (2019). Equity in school discipline: Enhancing commitment through teacher training. Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. https://www.pbis.org/video/equity-in-school-discipline-enhancing-commitment-through-teacher-training 

McIntosh, K. (2017). Neutralizing implicit bias in school discipline. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

McIntosh, K. Expelled: Racial inequality in school discipline. Retrieved from: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do/id1237073374?i=1000444128374

McIntosh, K. (n.d.). Resources for enhancing the cultural responsiveness of PBIS. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

McIntosh, K., Barnes, A., Eliason, B., & Morris, K. (2014). Using discipline data within SWPBIS to identify and address disproportionality: A guide for school teams. OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. www.pbis.org.

McIntosh, K., Bastable, E., Sandomierski, T., & Hall, R. (2019). Cultivating a durable commitment to equity: Where do we start? National PBIS Leadership Forum.

McIntosh, K.., Girvan, E. J., Horner, R. H., Smolkowski, K., & Sugai, G. (2018). A 5-point intervention approach for enhancing equity in school discipline. OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

National Association of School Psychologists (2020). A framework for safe and successful schools. Retrieved from: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/systems-level-prevention/a-framework-for-safe-and-successful-schools

National Education Association (2020). Creating the space to talk about race in your school. Edjustice. Retrieved from: https://neaedjustice.org/social-justice-issues/racial-justice/talking-about-race/ 

National Education Association. (2017). Racial justice in education – Resource guide. Retrieved from: https://neaedjustice.org/racial-justice-is-education-justice/ 

Oluo, I. (2018). So you want to talk about race? Seal Press, NY.

Rose, J., Leverson, M., & Smith, K. (2020). Embedding culturally responsive practices in Tier 1. Center on PBIS.

San Francisco Unified School District (n.d.).  Restorative Practices whole-school implementation guide. Retrieved from: https://www.healthiersf.org/RestorativePractices/Resources/documents/SFUSD%20Whole%20School%20Implementation%20Guide%20final.pdf

Simmons, D. N., Brackett, M. A., & Adler, N. (2018). Applying an equity lens to social, emotional, and academic development. Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TN7PeBRUuEVfWdrNJ4d33NQ949pqsykg/view 

The Aspen Education & Society Program and the Council of Chief State School Officers. (2017). Leading for equity: Opportunities for State Education Chiefs. Washington, D.C.

The Aspen Education & Society Program. (2018). Pursuing social and emotional development through a racial equity lens: 5 strategies for system leaders to take action. Washington, D.C.

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