First Gathering of the WOCEC 2nd Cohort in Washington, DC

On February 23 and 24, at the Madison Hotel in Washington, DC, the second cohort of participants of ISA’s WOCEC gathered to share together unique programming to strengthen leadership skills, build networks and community, and prioritize self-care. Thirty-one school district leaders worked together with WOCEC executive coaches, all current and former school superintendents, to better understand themselves, their career journeys, and what the future has in store for these dynamic women.

In the post-event survey, there were strong words of affirmation and success from the participants:

• I appreciated the opportunity to meet with other women of color with similar roles, interests, and perspectives.
• An amazing learning experience. I walked away feeling empowered, revived, and renewed.
• Thank you for igniting my thoughts for my career and providing awareness that the possibilities are endless for women of color.
• I thank you for recognizing all our individual lights and promise; I am looking forward to our upcoming sessions.
• African-American women place their self-care last. The importance of knowing my blood pressure, eating right, and moving my body is as paramount as preparing to assuming the superintendency.

Want to learn more about the WOCEC? Click here.

Watch ISA’s Webinar on Equitable Access to Upper Level Math Courses

In a May 2021 paper by Learning Policy Institute (LPI) titled Inequitable Opportunity to Learn: Access to Advanced Mathematics and Science Courses, LPI shared that “research has consistently shown that students’ ability to thrive and their achievement are improved when they have sufficient access to advanced curricular opportunities,” such as Algebra II, advanced math, calculus, chemistry, and physics.

However, equitable access to advanced courses is out of reach for many students, particularly students of color and students from low-income families; the classes are not offered in their schools due to the lack of faculty who can teach these classes and, as stated in the report, “biased assumptions about what curriculum would benefit different groups of students.”

On March 9 ISA had a webinar to discuss this issue in the area of mathematics, and participants that day included

• Andrea DeVico, math and special education consultant
• Dr. Peter Eley, professor, mathematics education, College of Education, Fayetteville State University, NC
• Melanie Leung-Gagne, research and policy associate, Learning Policy Institute
• Dr. John Seelke, 6-12 content specialist, secondary math, Montgomery County Public Schools, MD
• Governor Bob Wise (moderator), former governor (WV), member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and state legislator

Watch the webinar here. And does your school or district need help with mathematics teaching and learning? If so be in touch here.

The Dual Enrollment Playbook: A Guide to Equitable Acceleration for Students

Have you read The Dual Enrollment Playbook from the team at the Community College Research Center?

Annually, more than a million U.S. high school students participate in dual enrollment programs that allow them to take college courses and accumulate college credits. Dual enrollment students are more likely to graduate from high school, enroll in college, and complete college degrees. But students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and low-income backgrounds do not have equitable access to or success in dual enrollment. The CCRC playbook examines dual enrollment programs in Florida, Ohio, and Washington that have narrowed or closed equity gaps in dual enrollment for Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and Pacific Islander students.

Click here to access it.