Corvallis School district 509J

Admin

Diversity and Inclusion Study

Superintendent Dawn Tarzian appointed a Diversity and Inclusion Committee in the fall of 2008 to help identify diversity-related challenges and opportunities in 509J and develop an action plan to address key areas of district work related to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students, families and staff. The plan should also foster school cultures that embrace diversity and inclusion and ensure that all students have access to quality educational programs.

The committee’s efforts are linked to recommendations related to diversity, equity and safe learning environments found in the Corvallis Community Vision for Education. This document represents the feedback of more than 1,300 community members about what kind of education Corvallis should offer its students. It was approved by the Corvallis School Board in the fall of 2007.

The 30 committee members were chosen from a pool of applicants who responded to a district request in early October seeking people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, cultures and beliefs to help with a study of diversity and equity issues in Corvallis schools.

Over the course of the year, the committee reviewed the results of surveys completed by staff, parents and students. The committee conducted a school climate inventory at each school and at the district office to determine how welcoming the physical environment each building is for all students and parents. Committee members also studied student achievement data, behavior data, demographics, student participation rates in advanced placement classes, quality of translation services and more.

Diversity and Inclusion Community Forum
On June 17, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee presented its key findings at this point in the process during a community forum held at the district office. Participants rotated through four stations where committee members reported the central themes discovered by various sub-committees and asked for suggestions for further study. (Diversity Forum Subcommittee Input Document) At the conclusion of the meeting, participants also were asked to submit ideas for developing a diversity action plan next fall. (Action Planning Brainstorm Document) Below are links to the handouts that each sub-committee passed out during the community forum:  

Focus Groups
A series of 15 focus group meetings were held in April and May to gather specific feedback from the community-at-large, parents of Korean and Latino students, parents with special needs children, staff and students in middle and high school. Additional focus groups will be organized in the fall of 2009.
    Themes from Student Focus Groups
    Themes from Staff Focus Groups
    Themes from Parent Focus Groups
    Challenges and Opportunities  

Climate Inventories
Members of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee visited each of the district’s 13 schools and the district office to look at how well each one is creating a safe, welcoming environment for students and their families. They took pictures outside each building and in office areas, hallways and other gathering spots in the schools. They also developed a list of “best practices.”
    Summary of Best Practices  

Data Collection
More than 6,200 students, parents and staff completed an online diversity survey during the spring and fall of 2008. The results of these surveys were reviewed, in addition to existing data including student demographics, standardized test scores, enrollment in TAG and AP programs, drop-out figures, behavior incidents and more. Due to the volume of data gathered, the full written report will not be available until fall, 2009, but the sub-committee did offer a preliminary summary of its findings.
    Preliminary Data Report  

Parent Information Network
In response to some of the feedback from surveys and focus groups, more information was gathered about what communication barriers exist between parents and schools and what resources were needed to improve communication, especially with regards to families whose first language is not English.
    Challenges and Opportunities  

For more information or to send a message to the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, contact:
Terryl Ross,  terryl.ross@oregonstate.edu
Jeanne Holmes,   jeanne.holmes@corvallis.k12.or.us
                                or 1555 SW 35 St., Corvallis, OR 97333




Footer

 RSS Feeds Available