Progress Report

Time for a progress report! As FASC continues our work with the school district, we'd like to share some news, events, and general updates.

Below are some of the FASC/ESD team events or accomplishments, as well as goals we're working toward. Items are listed either under the main group or the appropriate subcommittee.


FASC/ESD Team (Main Group)

• Seattle Race Conference (Nov-07)
  FASC members, students, and 2 ESD representatives attended.
• Youth Undoing Racism workshop (Dec-07)
  FASC members and students attended in Seattle.
• Undoing Racism workshop (Jan-08) ESD assistant superintendent and Cedar Valley school principal attended at Everett Community College.
• Met with principals and some counselors in district middle/high schools.

In The Works

• Clarify long term direction, goals and measurable outcomes
• Parter with various organizations to bring Freedom School to Snohomish County (target date, Jun-08)
• Create a newsletter (expected roll out, May-08)
• District-wide gathering for high school multicultural clubs

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Personnel workgroup:

• Hosted event to connect with teachers of color in the district (Feb-08)
• Created diversity resource list to be published on ESD web site (up and running!)
• Develop & refine ESD diversity web page/site
• Recruitment and retention of diverse staff, reflective of communities
• Create recruitment video
• Training and support for existing staff
• Implement exit interviews for staff to help district identify areas for improvement

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Expectations & Programs workgroup:

• FASC booth at annual District Information Fair (Jan-08)
• Established that students of color are underrepresented in honors programs, based on district data and statistics
• District students attended LEAP Conference in Tacoma (Latino/a Educational Achievement Project, Jan-08)
• Develop Mission & Vision statements
• More effective communication with families about honors programs
• Student focus groups - gather info, hear student voice
• High school students to visit middle schools, encourage participation in honors program
• Additional honors programs in all district high schools to address demand for IB
• How to apply "strength based" approach, focusing on what students can do

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Discipline workgroup:

• Reviewed data/statistics on disciplinary actions as applied to all ethnic groups (Fall-07)
• Established disparity in number & severity of disciplinary actions involving students of color (Fall-07)
• Met with School Resource Officer representatives
• SPIRIT program pilot took place at Alderwood Middle School
• Review & revise language on disciplinary documents sent home to families
• Translate disciplinary information into other languages