Equity in Action: Reducing Suspension for African American/Black Students – Network Improvement Community (NIC)

How can we build positive learning environments for African American/Black students to reduce suspension? This five-session Network Improvement Community (NIC) is a collaborative among the Bay Area Geographic Leads’ Consortium, Santa Clara County Office of Education, and the Western Educational Equity Assistance Center (WEEAC) at WestEd. It aims to assist Local Education Agencies (LEAs), County Office of Education and charter school teams with a framework that promotes equity and excellence for African American/Black students, including effective, research-based strategies to reduce suspension. 

Participating teams will have opportunities to collaborate with other teams. Teams will analyze their suspension data to design and implement a plan to address areas of need. Selected teams will receive coaching support between sessions 1 and 5.

Outcomes:

Participating Teams will:

• Analyze suspension data.
• Use Improvement Science processes to learn from students, parents, and staff about factors affecting suspension.
• Understand and implement culturally responsive, evidence-based practices to address suspension.
• Use a cultural lens to view data, analyze current practices, and determine the best approaches to address the inequitable outcomes African American/Black students experience in suspension and overall achievement.
• Apply dimensions of a framework that promotes equity and excellence for African American/Black students.

Audience: LEA leadership teams comprised of district and site team members.

Session Dates and Times:

December 4, 2024 • 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Virtual)

February 6, 2025 • 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Virtual)

March 6, 2025 • 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Virtual)

April 10, 2025 • 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (In-person)

Cost: Free

In-person Session Location:  

Oakland Asian Cultural Center

388 9th St Ste 290, Oakland, CA 94607

Please email the completed Application/Commitment Form to Dr. Yee Wan ([email protected])
by September 12, 2024. Notification of the application status will be sent by September 18, 2024.