On June 9, 2021, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Scott Grens presented a proposal to the District 205 Board of Education to consider the Corwin Agreement for York High School Deep Equity/ for the 2021-22 school year, stating it was a continuation of work started in the 2020-21 school year.
“The Deep Equity program provides a framework for faculty and staff to discuss their own personal identities, as well as the honoring and embracing of diversity within schools,” the proposal read. “This research-based program is designed to build capacity among the school community to engage in strategic planning in the design of an equitable, welcoming learning environment for all students.
“York High School is seeking to continue the use of these resources as a way to engage more members of the York community in discussion of equity in providing opportunities for all to succeed.
“The goal of the program is to continue conversations that were started last school year among all members of the school community, resulting in an increase in the sense of belonging for all and a decrease in any measurable equity gaps in academic programming.”
The total cost for two days of Deep Equity training and two days of Youth Equity Stewardship training with support materials is $46,005. Grens’ recommendation was “The the Board of Education provide approval of the agreement between Elmhurst CUSD205 (York High School) and Corwin for YHS Deep Equity/YES! For 2021-22 in the amount of $46,005 to be paid from Title I funds ($26,005) and a D205 Foundation Grant ($20,000).
What does the training provide?
According to the Corwin.us web site, the foundational 5 Phases of Deep Equity underpin the process to establish a safe climate that allows staff and students to engage in open conversations about persistent inequities, identify the root causes of inequities in educational systems, focus on practical applications of culturally responsive practices for classroom teachers, and create a long-term, sustainable plan for systemic transformation.
The program attempts to set a tone of trust, define cultural competence and connect it with student outcomes, and teach how lack of inclusivity can cause people to bring less than their full energy and focus to the classroom. It explores issues of privilege, power and difference and offers tools to identify inequities and elicit strategies for addressing them. The training helps school districts such as 205 development leadership teams at each school, which will lead reforms as needed and instill responsive practices into everyday school life.
