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Category C:
Category C1:
Category C1:
C1.1 Results of Student Observations and Examining Work: All students are involved in challenging and relevant work in an equity-centered learning environment.
Findings
In an equity-centered learning environment, student engagement thrives through challenging and relevant experiences that promote collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Projects like the Julius Caesar video assignment, where students analyze rhetorical appeals and interpret critical scenes, exemplify this approach, fostering active participation and community. Collaborative learning opportunities enhance social interaction and teamwork. Higher-order thinking is developed through assignments requiring analysis and application, such as evaluating ethos, pathos, and logos in persuasive techniques. To support diverse learning needs, scaffolding tools like graphic organizers and sentence starters in DBQ assignments help students engage with complex content effectively.
A variety of project formats, including the School Logo Design, Invention Project, and Person of Interest presentation, allows students to connect academic skills with personal passions and interests, increasing motivation and investment. Real-world applications, such as the Advertising Project, further enrich learning by encouraging creativity while linking classroom knowledge to practical contexts. Physical education assessments like the FITNESSGRAM ensure accountability for students' health and well-being, complementing academic efforts. Inclusive design principles, including Universal Design for Learning (UDL), provide multiple ways for students to learn and demonstrate understanding.
Evidence
AP English Language - Julius Ceasar Video
Math 1 Patterns Poster
C1.2 - Student Understanding of Learning Expectations: All students understand the standards/expected performance levels for each area of study in order to demonstrate learning and college and career readiness.
Findings
The school fosters an equity-centered learning environment by providing students with clear standards and expectations through comprehensive rubrics for various assignments. Tools like the Rhetorical Analysis Rubric help students understand performance levels for their writing and presentations, while student-friendly versions of rigorous rubrics, such as the AP Language Rubric, simplify complex standards, boosting confidence and approachability. Rubrics also serve as peer evaluation tools, encouraging collaboration and active engagement as students assess one another’s work using established criteria. The Knowledge and Thinking Rubric supports future learning by guiding students through projects and fostering alignment with expected performance standards, enhancing problem-solving skills. Transition rubrics, such as the AAQ Rubric, promote cumulative knowledge building, preparing students for college and career paths.
Each project is paired with detailed rubrics outlining requirements and success criteria, helping students track progress and achieve deeper engagement. Assignments like the Person of Interest project inspire thorough research and curiosity, while the Combatives Project Rubric assesses understanding of complex movements and exercise theories, linking fitness concepts with practical application. By combining clear guidelines with supportive rubrics, the school enhances student engagement and well-being, empowering learners to take ownership of their learning.
C1.3 Differentiation of Instruction: The school’s instructional staff members differentiate instruction, including integrating multimedia and technology, and evaluate its impact on student learning.
Findings
Staff uses technology and applications available through the district including Google Classroom and Recordex. Lessons are able to be visually shown through Apple TV or Recordex. Staff are able to highlight and show videos.
Translation devices were purchased for students to assist with their learning.
Evidence
Recordex
Google Classroom
Paper - 24/7 tutoring services
Kami
Translators
Kahoot
Category C2:
Category C2:
C2.1 - Teachers Facilitate Learning: Teachers use a variety of evidence-based instructional methodologies and encourage student agency within an equity-centered environment.
Findings
Teachers implement various strategies to create an inclusive, engaging, and supportive learning environment that enhances student growth and well-being. They provide Student Reflection Time, such as using the Think-Pair-Share method, to encourage critical thinking and confidence in discussions. Cultural Sharing is promoted by clarifying goals and encouraging students to share their backgrounds, fostering an appreciation for diverse perspectives. For Visual Learning Support, tools like graphic organizers help students organize information effectively, leading to deeper understanding and retention. The Peer Feedback Mechanism, exemplified by the Critical Friends method, allows students to critically assess their work through structured feedback, enhancing their learning experience.
Collaboration Opportunities are emphasized through team activities centered on “driving questions,” promoting teamwork and shared accountability. Career Exploration Projects, such as the Genres: Careers project, link learning to real-world applications by encouraging students to explore potential career paths. A focus on Cooperative Learning fosters collaboration and communication skills essential for future success, while Scaffolded Learning breaks down complex concepts into manageable steps, improving comprehension. Engagement through Agency is cultivated in equity-centered environments, empowering students to take ownership of their learning process, boosting motivation and involvement. Finally, by fostering inclusivity and support, teachers make a Positive Impact on Well-Being, enhancing resilience and motivation as students navigate their educational journeys.
C2.2 - Student Voice and Agency: Student voice and agency are equally applicable for all students, empowering them to be meaningfully engaged in decision-making about their own learning, strategic thinking, and problem solving.
Findings
Teachers foster an equity-centered learning environment by prioritizing student choice and agency, which enhances engagement, confidence, and well-being. Choice in Learning empowers students to select skills or assignments that align with their interests and strengths, while Targeted Support through in-class workshops addresses individual struggles and promotes personalized learning.
In the ERWC course, students lead their learning by selecting final products, such as college or scholarship essays, tailored to their post-high school aspirations. Literature Selection allows students to choose books for sustained silent reading and participate in literature circles, fostering a love for reading and meaningful discussions. Flexible Assessment Options provide diverse ways to demonstrate learning, encouraging self-expression and engagement. Across subjects, Project and Topic Selection motivates students by enabling them to pursue topics and projects of personal interest. Extracurricular Engagement is evident in high participation in clubs and activities, reflecting students’ passion and agency.
While current offerings are effective, there is a Need for Expanded Offerings to further amplify student voice and engagement. Together, these strategies contribute to a learning environment where students feel heard, valued, and invested in their educational journey.
C2.3 - Digital Learning and Problem Solving: Teachers use technology and digital learning tools to enhance and support student learning and help students solve real-world problems.
Findings
The integration of technology and digital tools in an equity-centered learning environment significantly enhances student engagement, learning, and well-being by providing personalized and accessible resources. Platforms like CANVAS improve organization and time management by helping students track assignments, manage schedules, and monitor their progress through data-driven insights and semester analytics.
Minga further supports engagement by streamlining communication with features like digital ID cards and hall pass assignments, while also offering accessible learning resources through classroom-integrated templates. Tools like CANVA and Adobe Creative Suite empower students to create engaging multimedia presentations, fostering creativity and inclusivity with features such as Text Suggestions for captions and tags.
Applications like Notability facilitate digital note-taking and collaborative learning by allowing students to save and share materials seamlessly.
The Big Ideas framework enhances conceptual understanding by organizing content around central themes. In physical education, tools like Train Heroic and IHT Fitness Watches enable personalized fitness tracking and real-time performance monitoring, fostering accountability and a deeper understanding of personal health. Together, these innovations create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that supports student success and well-being.
Evidence
CANVAS
Minga
CANVA
Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator etc.
Notability
Big Ideas
Train Heroic
IHT Fitness Watches
C2.4 - Career Preparedness and Applied Learning: Teachers provide learning opportunities that extend beyond the textbook and classroom, deepen students’ depth of knowledge, and prepare them for college and careers. (Project based - invite presenters - field trips)
Findings
A dynamic and equity-centered learning environment fosters high student engagement by connecting academic experiences with personal interests, cultural relevance, and future career opportunities. The Passion Project encourages students to explore topics they are passionate about, such as sports or cooking, fostering deeper engagement and personal investment in learning. Guest presenters, such as those participating in the Comet Con, enrich classroom experiences by providing real-world insights into various careers, making learning more relevant and applicable. Events like Higher Ed Day and career fairs offer students opportunities to explore post-secondary options, emphasizing the connection between academic learning and future career paths. Culturally Relevant Learning is celebrated through events like the Dia De Los Muertos Festival, which engages students and multiple departments, reflecting the diversity of the student body and promoting community engagement.
Programs like Speech and Debate and FAST Program develop critical skills such as research, collaboration, and critical thinking, preparing students for professional environments through academic competition. Community connections are strengthened through events like Parent Conference Night fostering collaboration between parents and teachers to support student success. Collaborative projects across disciplines emphasize the interconnectedness of knowledge, allowing students to see practical applications of their learning. By providing diverse and meaningful opportunities, this equity-centered approach nurtures student agency and ensures all learners are prepared for college, careers, and lifelong success.
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