Student Advisory Coun W ednesday , M arch 18, 2020
Focus Groups ● Student Safety ○ Mental Health, Student Security ● Student Success ○ Special Education, SEL, Culture Awareness, Teacher Shortage ● Equity ○ Lower Income, Resources
Student Safety Group Members Faith Drescher ( Hinsdale Central High School, Junior ) Josh Hargrove ( Hinsdale South High School, Senior ) Andres Rivera ( Maine South High School, Senior ) Emma Gatz ( Metea Valley High School, Senior ) Z’Sanique Sanders ( East St. Louis Senior High School, Junior ) Leo Krueger ( Vandalia Community High School, Sophomore ) Nate Youman ( Stillman Valley High School, Junior )
Focus Group: Student Safety “In any moment of decision… the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” -Theodore Roosevelt
Student Suggestions ● ALICE Training ○ Certification for all K-12 schools to better prepare for active shooter situations ○ How would Illinois cover this? Blended Learning! ● Informing Entire School Community ○ Students are often left out of the conversation about important safety measures ■ Parents get ComEd sent home, but students aren’t addressed
“ School districts are doing a complete disservice to their students, staff and their families if they are not prepared for a violent intruder. In my opinion, ALICE Training is the absolute best solution for that problem ” -Kurtis Buckley School Resource Officer
Student Safety Solutions To ensure the safety and sense of security in school, certain procedures and methods can be used: ● Ex-Police officers as security; sufficient training ● Schools IDs be used to identify yourself when entering school grounds during certain hours ● Cameras are placed in key entry points and hallways ● Alice Training be implemented in all schools and must be consistent and relevant during the school year (Occurring as often as fire drills)
Student Success Focus Group Chloe Goodman (Red Bud High School, Junior) Carter Shockey (Freeport High School, Senior) Theo Johnson (Urbana High School, Junior) Mikayla Jackson (Sangamon Valley High School, Senior) Anna Foster (PORTA High School, Junior) Vasu Chalasani (Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Senior) Dylan Hu (Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Senior) Nicole Tong (Naperville North High School, Senior)
Student Success Student Success “Every student can learn, just not on the same day or in the same way.” -George Evans
Special Education & SEL: Though we’ve been unable to send out surveys so far, we have conducted some in- person interviews about special education and the implementation of IEP accommodations, as well as about the usefulness of homeroom classes in middle school.
Special Education Interviews Takeaways from our special education interviews include: ● Most students are aware of the accommodations in their IEPs. ● School buildings are often not accessible enough for people with physical handicaps. ● Students with IEPs, as well as other students, are far too stressed about schoolwork.
Homeroom Class Interviews Responses to our questions varied, but generally: ● Homeroom or advisory classes are a helpful and reassuring part of students’ days, and should not be cancelled to make way for more academic time. ● These classes only help when students form lasting personal relationships with other students in these classes. ● Teachers can help students form relationships in a variety of ways, such as playing games and holding discussions of personal or political events. Different activities help different students.
Social Emotional Learning - the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions - Implemented at many high schools around Illinois already as programs that require teachers to set aside 7 days a year - Examples: Watching and discussing TED talks on happiness, leading activities such as writing monthly goals and decorating them on the walls, throwing foam dodgeballs at each other while sharing ways to relieve stress, etc.
Accountability ● The 5Essentials survey needs a more comprehensive focus ○ Students should be asked in depth about parts of their school day other than their first period class. ○ Students should have an opportunity, such as a contact box at the end of the survey, to contact ISBE with additional information. ● School visits need to be more frequent in order to ensure equity, safety, and student success across Illinois.
Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning
Our Definition This is the practice of teaching students that their culture is something that they should embrace and be proud of. Culturally responsive learners make an effort to obtain as much knowledge as they can about their students’ culture, but once they have a basic understanding, they never stop learning about the cultural vibrance of their classroom, school, or district.
Difference Makers ● District and School Administrators ● Teachers ● School Counselors ● Cafeteria Workers ● Bus Drivers
Driving Forces ● Students from minority backgrounds are not being represented in the school environment ● Cultures are being pushed to the side instead of being showcased ● There is a lack of connection in the classroom ○ Teachers and Students ○ Students and Material
Desired Outcomes ● Deeper connections will be cultivated ● Students will feel more included ● Racial identities will be strengthened ● Staff will empathize with students more
Equity Focus Group Members: Levi Siebers ( Liberty High School, Senior ) Domenica Ferdinardo ( Ridgewood High School, Senior ) Abbigail Thurman ( Rochester High School, Senior ) Tri Ho ( Taft High School, Senior ) Amir Sykes ( Manuel Academy, Junior ) Tucker Poshard ( Carbondale Community, Junior )
EQUITY EQUITY “Equality is giving everyone a sho “Equality is giving everyone a shoe Equity is giving everyone a shoe Equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits.” that fits.”
What Is Equity? What Is Equity? - Purpose Purpose : Ensuring quality education for all students, guaranteeing a quality and equal opportunity in education for all students in the education system. - Includes ensuring the no matter the personal or social circumstances like gender, ethnic origin, family background, or relationships are factors in a student receiving an equal opportunity at education - Broad subjects like mathematics, science, reading and writing are being offered to students - Opportunity gap, Achievement gap, Learning gap
What does this mean? What does this mean? Promoting equity to administrators is important because it will help set norms in the cla that will have a domino effect on students. Promoting inclusion and openness will help sense of reliability to students. Respectfulness is key to creating a sense of openness a inclusion.
Equity is Opportunity Equity is Opportunity Schools have changed: - Equity is opportunity: with gaps - Schools between cities - Rural vs city gaps Equity in Education - Geographic gaps - Gender gaps - Teacher aids between schools - Schools who have low aids at schools - Perkins 5: - 5 million dollars is being given to districts in order to expand things like aids and student resources as well as CTE programs.
Our Works
- What Teachers Have Done and Next Steps What Teachers Have Done and Next Steps - Competency Competency -Based Education Based Education : a form of education that allows teachers to provide individual support for every student. Once a student shows mastery in one competency, they move onto the next one. Ways Teachers Can Create More Equitable Learning Opportunities for Students - Interdisciplinary Lessons - Community Service Projects - Incorporate Social and Emotional Learning - Emphasize the Importance of Growth - Move to Student-Centered Instruction - Use Technology - Value Student Voices - Be flexible and creative
Census
Census Outreach As schools districts in Illinois have begun cancelling events to protect against the spread of COVID-19, census outreach has become more difficult. However, SAC members are still helping their districts ensure that everyone is counted.
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