Best Practices

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Examples of Best Practices

The following list has examples of equity-based approaches to policies that districts or schools have implemented and why. Click on the links below to go deeper with additional resources and information.

General Policy Changes and Best Practices

Policy Inventory Audit
Socioeconomic-Based School Assignment
Culturally Responsive Curriculum
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum
Empathy Interviews
Teacher Recruitment Best Practices
Recruitment and Retention Incentives
Grow-Your-Own Programs

Student-Based Best Practices

Personalized Learning

Project-Based Learning
Extracurricular Activities and Clubs
Attendance Supports
Trauma-Informed Attendance Policies
Culturally Responsive Attendance Policies
Incentive-Based Attendance Programs

Community Partnership Initiatives

Flexible Attendance Policies
Transportation Assistance
Early Warning Systems
School-Home Communication

Supplemental Instruction

Response to Intervention (RTI) Framework
Assistive Technology Integration
Transition Services (High School to Workforce)
Parental Involvement and Advocacy
Multilingual Learners Student Support

Academic Support for Students Facing Academic Challenges

Universal Screening
Early Intervention Programs
Summer Learning Opportunities
Extended Learning Time
Addressing Disparities in Resource Allocation

Academic Support for Students Not Being Challenged in School

Accelerated Learning Programs
Subject or Grade Skipping
Gifted and Talented (GAT) Programs and Infusion in Classrooms
Early College Programs
Competitions and Olympiads
Virtual Learning Opportunities

AP and High-Demand Course Support

Pre-AP and Preparatory Programs
Financial Support for AP Exams
Virtual AP and High-Demand Course Options

Behavioral and Sense of Belonging Support Best Practices

Elimination of Zero-Tolerance Discipline Policies

Restorative Justice Practices
Trauma-Informed Practices
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

Wraparound Services

Supporting LGBTQ+ Students

Technology Support Best Practices

One-to-One Technology and Mobile Wi-Fi Initiatives

Digital Equity Grants and Collaboration with Community

Leveraging E-Rate Program (a federal program that supports schools and libraries in obtaining affordable telecommunications and internet access)

Digital Literacy Training

Extending Technology Access Hours

Unified Improvement Planning (UIP) Connection

Using the list provided, choose a dataset to explore your school or district (i.e., student achievement data, staff demographic data, financial data). Looking at the data, what might that information suggest about what systems contribute to equity or performance challenges in your school or district?

Which of the school district policies listed above could you add into your UIP to help remove barriers you see in the data?