The GSP Monthly Dispatch – February 2021
Welcome to the archive of The GSP Monthly Dispatch, our monthly roundup of upcoming events as well as fresh and insightful writing from our school coaches. Did you know you can get the Dispatch delivered to your inbox every month for free? All you need to do is sign up.
Welcome to the February issue of The GSP Monthly Dispatch. This month, we bring you:
- Three exciting virtual events you don’t want to miss
- A deeply personal reflection on being the only black educator on staff at a school
- An essay on the history and persistence of segregation in schools
- Writing on the power of community engagement during the pandemic
- Monthly Must-Read: A community conversations toolkit for school communities
- Data Dialogue: A forecast of high school graduation rates in New England
Visit our event calendar for a full list of upcoming events.
The Power of Teams to Improve Student Outcomes
Teams exist in every school and district but how effective are they in making a difference for teachers and students? Research shows that teams that believe in their power to do good work and have an impact on their students do just that.
Date: February 25, 2021
Time: 3:00-4:00 PM EST
Where: Virtual, via Zoom
Cost: Free
Pursuing Racial Equity: Be the Change We Want to See
Racial equity can’t be achieved without a commitment to embracing anti-racist policies and practices. Together we can identify strategies to combat racism in our homes, schools, organizations, and communities.
Date: March 2, 2021
Time: 1:00-4:00 PM EST
Where: Virtual, via Zoom
Cost: $125/person
RCA Collaborative: Community of Practice
In this session, participants will examine how colleges currently ask applicants for evidence of transferable skills in both explicit and implicit ways. This session will be facilitated by GSP in collaboration with the Learning Policy Institute.
Date: March 9, 2021
Time: 2:00-3:30 PM EST
Where: Virtual, via Zoom
Cost: Free
A Contemporary Perspective on Public Education From a Veteran Black Teacher
by Dr. Michael Browner, Jr.
“A diverse teaching staff across districts with diverse populations and socioeconomic status is beneficial to all students, including White students who should be afforded the opportunity to recognize that not every qualified teacher or well-educated professional is White.”
Community Engagement, As We Knew It, Has Changed
by Glennys Sánchez
“During the first weeks of the pandemic, I was certain that it was only a matter of time until we were able to meet in person. Suddenly, that sense of optimism—the kind that shelters you from grieving and from letting go—started drying out faster than my markers. Most of what was critical to my understanding of equitable community engagement was gone.”
The (Unsurprising) Persistence of Segregation in Schools
by Dan Liebert
“Given the abundance of research that shows the damaging effects of long-term ability level segregation in schools, what could possibly account for its continued persistence? My experience in schools over the last 35 years has led me to conclude that this segregation is baked into the very fabric of education in America.”
Community Conversations: Tools for School Communities
This set of tools and resources was developed to help educators and education stakeholders involved in organizing or facilitating community conversations develop or improve their facilitation skills. These tools reflect our learning from years of co-creating with schools and communities in both virtual and in-person environments.
Data Forecast: High School Graduation Rates in New England
“More than ever, many career paths require a high school diploma as a basic necessity, with an increasing number of jobs also requiring at least some postsecondary credentials. Research finds that individuals with high school diplomas have greater financial stability and socio-emotional well-being as adults, have better health outcomes, and are less likely to be incarcerated as compared to those with less education.”
YEAR SUBGROUP MET OR IS EXPECTED TO MEET 90% HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE
Thanks for reading! See you next month.
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