Based on a book by the same name, the Grading for Equity change idea supports schools in adopting grading practices that are Accurate, Bias Resistant, and Motivational.

Examples of specific practices that schools in DPS are implementing are listed in the chart below:

For resources and lessons learned about how to begin implementation, click here.

If you have any questions, contact Tiffany Deines

Because our network seeks to dismantle systems of oppression to better prepare Black and Latinx students for post-secondary success, students and families deserve the respect of becoming partners in this work -- in helping us see the problems within our system, ideating towards potential changes, and measuring success towards improvement.

Within the College Ready On Track Network, schools are enacting change ideas that include Black Student & Family Focus Groups and Academic Family Teacher Teams.

As the network continues to iterate on engagement practices, feedback loops will become embedded in all Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to ensure that student and family experiences become a central aspect of how we determine what constitutes improvement.

Click here to learn more about student & family engagement within the College Ready On Track Network

For questions, contact Ranya Bautista

Design Improvement for Equity is a continuous improvement approach developed in conjunction with the University of Denver that combines aspects of Improvement Science and Design Thinking methodologies while centering users and adopting anti-racists mindsets and practices.

This methodology leverages Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to learn what works, for whom, and under what conditions prior to spreading and scaling new practices.

For questions, contact Sandra Lochhead

Root cause analysis refers to a process that allows groups to collect, organize, and summarize current understandings of the causes of a problem of practice and deepen our knowledge before jumping to solutions.

In the College Ready On Track Network, root cause analysis is a critical tool in understanding where we can make improvements to systems that support post-secondary readiness.

See below for tools to facilitate root cause analysis through a fishbone diagram

• Fishbone Diagrams: What are They and How Do I Create One?
• Fishbone Facilitation Protocol
• College Ready On Track Fishbone Artifact

For questions, contact Karen Herbert

Empathy means understanding peoples’ lived experiences. Empathy building allows us to see the problem and the system that produces it from the perspective of our “users” -- students, families, and school staff. This process can help us make better, more equitable decisions.

In continuous improvement, empathy is a critical prerequisite for designing systems that meet user needs.

Empathy building approaches leveraged by the College Ready On Track Network include:

• 1:1 Empathy Interviews
• Focus Groups
• Shadowing / Observation

To learn more, click the links above

For questions, contact Ranya Bautista