Equity and Inclusion


Equity

Equity is providing each student the support that they need to be successful.

The West Valley School District values equity in providing equitable environments that respect students as individuals, their families, and respect their cultural heritage.

Inclusion

Inclusion is providing access to the core curriculum for each student in the least restrictive environment.

The West Valley School District views inclusion as providing an education to the maximum extent appropriate in the general educational environment.


Equity and Inclusion Goals

Equity

  • Build resilience among students, families and communities

  • Build leadership skills for parents as the first and most important advocates and teachers for their child.

  • Support our school staff to lead family-friendly schools and culturally-responsive classrooms.

Inclusion

  • To increase the number of students who are meaningfully in the General Education classroom for at least 80% of the school day.

  • To see an increase in overall SBAC scores in the district while simultaneously decreasing the gaps between subgroups.

  • To see an increase in graduation rates while simultaneously decreasing the gap between subgroups.

  • To increase the engagement rate of our student with IEPs after they have left WVHS.

  • Increase the capacity of our staff to provide inclusive opportunities through Universal Designed for Learning (UDL), Co-Teaching, and Co-Planning. UDL is providing multiple means of engagement, representation, and action & expression.


Summary of Data

  • Smarter Balanced scores: Sub-groups of students are experiencing different levels of achievement in West Valley schools.

  • After School Activities: Research shows participation in after school activities leads to greater academic achievement. Sub-groups of students are experiencing different levels of participation at West Valley High School.

  • Least Restrictive Environment: Students who have access to core curriculum have greater achievement. In West Valley, elementary students have greater access than secondary students to the core curriculum.

  • WaKIDS: Students who enter school “Kindergarten Ready” achieve at a higher level. In West Valley, sub-groups of students are entering school at different levels of readiness.

  • Qualitative data: Many families report that they feel welcomed in West Valley schools but there are families in sub-groups who do not feel welcomed yet.

  • HS Graduation & Post-Secondary Data: While graduation rates have increased recently, there are still differences among sub-groups of students.

  • Attendance/Discipline: While suspension rates have decreased across the school district, there are differences in suspension rates for students with IEPs and by gender.

  • Hanover survey on perceptual data: There are differences in perspective of the student experience among staff and sub-groups of students at West Valley High School.



Equity and Inclusion Strategies for 2022/23

Universal Design for Learning via professional development days and early release days.

Cultural Proficiency via After School Seminars.

Safe Schools Equity & Inclusion training via online modules.

Partner with the Yakima Valley College, Bachelor of Applied Science Teacher Education program to support a pipeline of diverse educators. Schedule outreach to paraeducators.

Recruit bilingual candidates to increase the candidate pool for staff positions.

Staff members maintain high expectations for student behavior.

At the High School, use Ram Strong as a vehicle to support a safe learning environment and empower bystanders to “see something - say something” when they see someone who is subjected to harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

Provide after school activities, such as art and robotics, at each elementary school.

Invite community members to assist students with after school activities at all schools.

Partner with community agencies to provide mentors for secondary students.

Eliminate “Pay to Participate” fees.

Provide opportunities to review district trainings and data analysis for Equity & Inclusion.

Provide English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and Community Plaza for adult education.

Educate parents of Mid-Level Campus students regarding the high school academic program.

Provide technology training so parents know how to use Skyward to check student progress.

Provide activities at our schools to bring the community together.

Host activities that provide opportunities for all ages to come together.

Partner with community-based service organizations for collective impact.

Collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data, including perceptual data from students, staff, and families.

Disaggregate data to identify any differences among sub-groups.

Equity and Inclusion Contact

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