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March 2020
#EdEquityVA Monthly Newsletter
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Welcome back to the #EdEquityVA Monthly Newsletter, a repository of resources that you can add to your equity tool kit! Keep reading for more information about our #EdEquityVA initiatives, best practices in the field, and professional learning opportunities.
This month’s issue continues with a focus on School Discipline.
Don't ever miss a newsletter, join our mailing list here.
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2020 #EdEquityVA Webinar Series |
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In partnership with IDRA-EAC, the Virginia Department of Education offers our monthly #EdEquityVA webinar series to provide educators with professional learning opportunities aimed at advancing education equity in Virginia schools. |
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April #EdEquityVA Webinar
Reframing School Discipline Part 2: Strategies to Decrease Disproportionality, A Discussion with Local School Board Members
- Presented by Rebecca Kahila, School Safety and Discipline Specialist in the Office of Student Services at the Virginia Department of Education
- April 7, 2020 from 3:00-4:30 PM
Sign up for the April 7th webinar here.
View webinars from 2019 and past 2020 webinars on our website: http://www.virginiaisforlearners.virginia.gov/edequityva-webinar-series/
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Relevant Research and Best Practice Highlights
Our #EdEquityVA work is informed by literature, best practice, and research. Below are the resources currently occupying space on our desks:
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Tools, Guides, and Recommendations to Support Equitable Approaches to School Discipline
School Wide Positive Behaviral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
This video from the Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports provides clear guidance about how the principles of PBIS can be applied to reduce discipline disproportionality and increase academic performance, with examples.
The framework of the video focuses on a 5-point intervention
approach:
- Collect, use, and report disaggregated discipline data
- Implement a behavior framework that is preventive, multitiered, and culturally responsive
- Use engaging academic instruction to reduce the opportunity
(achievement) gap
- Develop policies with accountability for disciplinary equity
- Teach strategies to neutralize implicit bias
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Announcing the Mary Peake Award for Excellence in Education Equity |
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The Virginia Department of Education has launched a statewide award that will recognize individuals and organizations making significant contributions to advancing educational equity. Nominations for The Mary Peake Award for Excellence in Education Equity are now being accepted. Please consider nominating an educator, policy maker, education advocacy group, or stakeholder organization whose service and leadership is impacting equity outcomes in the state.
All nomination materials must be submitted online by
May 1, 2020 by 5:00 PM EST.
Winners of the Mary Peake Award for Excellence in Education Equity will be honored at the 3rd annual Virginia is for ALL Learners: Education Equity Summer Institute on July 14-15, 2020 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia.
For more information about the nomination process and selection criteria, visit the Virginia is for Learners website.
For direct access to the nomination form, click here.
Named after one of Virginia’s first education equity pioneers, this award recognizes Mrs. Peake’s contribution to equity and her continued inspiration to the field. Peake is known for educating both enslaved and free Black people in the mid-1800s, a time when such an act was illegal; her fortitude to educate her people, particularly during a time when it was forbidden, demonstrates an understanding of the value of education and a commitment to serving those intentionally marginalized. Mary Peake’s work is a true testament to the ongoing journey towards education equity in the Commonwealth.
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SAVE THE DATE:
Virginia is for ALL Learners
Education Equity Summer Institute
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The 3rd annual Virginia is for ALL Learners: Education Equity Summer Institute is scheduled for July 14-15, 2020 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia. Registration will open on May 1, 2020.
The Virginia Department of Education, in collaboration with Virginia’s Secretary of Education and VCU’s School of Education provides this two-day conference for Virginia educators, school leaders, education policymakers, and other invited stakeholder group representatives.
Conference sessions will focus on the public policy levers, evidence based practices, and preparation necessary to ensure that Virginia educators are empowered and equipped to advance equitable outcomes for ALL students.
For more information about the conference, please visit the Virginia is for Learners website. All inquiries may be directed to the Office of Equity and Community Engagement at EdEquityVA@doe.virginia.gov.
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Governor Northam Announces Community Forums to Inform Statewide Plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
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The Governor’s newly established Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is hosting community forums in March where Virginians can provide input on Virginia’s first-ever “Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence.”
All community forums will take place from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM on these dates:
Wednesday, March 18
Harrisonburg City Hall
409 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801
Tuesday, March 25
James Lee Community Center
2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia 22042
Monday, March 30
Bristol Virginia Public Schools, School Board Office
220 Lee Street, Bristol, Virginia 24201
Those interested in attending one of the upcoming community forums may register here.
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March is the Virginia School Board Association's Equity in Education Month |
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In an effort to encourage equity in education, the VSBA Board of Directors has designated the month of March as VSBA Equity in Education Month and Governor Ralph Northam signed a proclamation in support.
Register for the VSBA webinar series focused on excellence through equity, equitable funding, and equity becoming habit. For more information and resources visit the VSBA website here.
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Preventing Student Discrimination Related to Coronavirus COVID-19 |
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Speculation and misinformation about COVID-19 has created an environment of fear for some students, parents, and community members.The VDOE has been notified that this misinformation may have led to discrimination and/or harassment against some groups of students and families based on ethnicity, race, and national origin. It is imperative that schools take action to prevent discrimination and/or harassment towards any student.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) provides the Model Policy to Address Bullying in Virginia's Public Schools to assist school’s response in addressing potential hostilities.
For more resources read the Superintendent's Memo Addressing Misinformation Related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19
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Highlights from the Virginia Literacy Summit |
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The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Literacy Summit was held on February 24, 2020. The event was provided in response to recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and Standards of Learning (SOL) test scores and to support and enhance literacy instruction as reflected in the 2017 Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework for English Language Arts.
Keynote presentations were provided by the University of Virginia (UVA) and panel discussions addressed current best practices in K-12 literacy instruction. Breakout sessions went in-depth regarding topics such as early literacy; equity for multilingual learners; rigor, alignment, differentiation and specially-designed instruction of K-12 English; data driven decision making and formative assessment; and integrating literacy into the content: science and history.
Recordings of the Comprehensive Literacy Webinar Series are now available for viewing. Sessions focus on best practices in literacy instruction and resources available to school divisions.
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