“Change does not necessarily assure progress, but progress implacably requires change. Education is essential to change, for education creates both new wants and the ability to satisfy them.”

Henry Steele Commager

Equity SchoolsAn Innovative School Model

Where Excellence and Quality Unite In Transforming Youth

Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation

22, 498 students

3,000 employees

5 high schools

10 middle schools

20 elementary schools

3 alternative schools

2 charter schools

53% free and reduced lunch

75% white

14% black

8% multiracial

2% Hispanic

Strategic PlanningOver 250 community forums

Input used to create a strategic agenda

Agenda presented to community and revised into EVSC Strategic Plan5 focus areas (professional development; early

childhood; technology; family, school, and community partnerships; innovative school models)

Subsequent $174 million referendum passed with 70% community approval

Innovative models Equity Schools

What are Equity Schools?

Innovative, semi-autonomous school model

Focused on 3 schools currently (2 elementary, 1 middle)

Unique school calendarsAdditional instructional days

Required 10-20 additional instructional days

Added 5 teacher data days

Successful completion of Equity PD Academy

How were Equity Schools developed?

Preliminary identification of district needsFocus on chronically low performing schools

Focused on school level, differentiated autonomyFlexibility to meet school needsEmphasis on localized student, family, and community

Premium placed on increasing student engagement and instructionNeed for data review and application days Increased instructional days for students

Equity School Details - Contract

Contract details outlined AFTER key model design was completed

Brief addendum to contract drafted

Two part ratificationVote to approve moving forwardVote to approve specifics of Equity model

Simple majority

Equity School Details - Funding

Stimulus funding with further grant funding identified

Additional salary expenses (additional days)

Professional Development StipendsSuccessful completion incentive

Focus on data/outcomes to justify and prioritize future funding

Equity School Details – PD AcademyVoluntary participation by staff throughout the

district

150 seats (added additional seats based on demand)

40 hours of professional development

Action research required of each participant

Final observations by ETA/EVSC team

Equity Schools – McGary MS

50% staff turnover

Developed calendar with sibling needs as a focus

Designed one week of training for all staff in ACT (Applied Control Theory)

Designed time at beginning of school on building community and learning students

Used team plans, faculty meetings, and small committees to design changes

Equity Schools – Delaware ES

Younger staff

Uses consensus to design changes

Adding second planning period each day for grade level teaming

Focus on Differentiated Instruction

Teachers worked in teams to complete action research

Equity Schools – Howard Roosa ES

No voluntary staff transfers out

Small committees formed to develop calendar, format of school day, curriculum, and technology then conduct formal vote by staff

Adding grade level time at start of day

Students eating breakfast in classrooms each morning

School moving in one year, but staff moving rooms because it is best for instruction

Equity Schools – Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi0oObmQ1a8