Mr. Shelton of Elevate Education https://us.elevateeducation.com was chosen by Darien Public School System as a consultant to guide the DEI Team, support students, staff and parents. For more details on his background- https://kennethshelton.net
From the Darien Public School DEI District Update Memorandum on October 26, 2021:
Mr. Shelton will "support the facilitation of a District-wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee including students, teachers, administration, parents, and representation from the community and the Darien Board of Education, who will collaboratively:
● create a District equity statement;
● analyze data following and strategically identify root causes of inequities;
● develop DEI fluency through participation in experience to explore equity;
● build networks across the community to discuss DEI topics;
● make recommendations to address understood barriers; and,
● systematically review data to evaluate successes and growth areas."
___________________________________________________________________________________________
What principles will Mr. Shelton use to guide Darien Public Schools? Take a look at his three part series in Medium, "GRADING IS CAPITALIST, RACIST AND EXPLOITATIVE".
Also, from a speech in September, 2019:
31 min mark: In talking about successful strategies schools have used to promote equity, one strategy he has seen as effective in reducing inequities is to "get rid of Gifted & Talented programs... because they create segregation in integrated schools..." Mentions how this "creates a level playing field."
53 min mark: Discusses professional development. Mentions that professional learning and support, especially when there's a demographic differential difference between teachers & students, "should start off with Anti-Racist and Implicit Bias training".
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Budgeted expenditures for FY 2022 include a total of $79,000 of which $23,000 is budgeted in supporting the DEI committee and staff professional development.
Additional expenditures include $35,000 to support the development of student leaders, athletic teams and coaches as well as an additional $21,000 to support community partnership opportunities and additional professional development for staff.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
If you have any questions for Mr. Shelton. Tune into the Special Meeting of the Board of Education at 5PM on Thursday, November 18. https://darienps.zoom.us/j/93374588969
Comments