Update on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative

Apr 7 2022

An update on work related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in RTSD was provided by district administration on April 5 in a presentation at the Board's Curriculum Committee meeting. The School Board approved "Further Expand DEI Inquiry, Exploration and Responsiveness Across RTSD" as a district initiative last school year.

View Presentation (PDF)

While DEI was formalized as a district initiative in 2020, RTSD has been taking actions since at least 2015 concerning diversity, equity and inclusion in district schools. An overview of the history of this work can be found on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion webpage.

As part of the most recent report offered on April 5, administration provided a summary of the history and goals of DEI work in RTSD and updated the committee on several action items that have taken place during the 2021-22 school year as they correspond to the DEI initiative's "Four Pillars:"

Creation of the Radnor Early Learning Academy
Implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
Expansion of the Extended Learning Program for grades 3-12 (RHS, RMS)
Academic Level Consolidation at Radnor High School
SAGE Wellness secured as district's DEI consultant
Formation of Parent/Community DEI Advisory Group
Attendance at a NAACP forum on diversity hiring
Membership in the Delaware Valley Consortium of Excellence and Equity
Planned attendance at minority job fairs at the end of April

Next steps in this initiative include:

Exploring a new data warehouse system to help break down and analyze data across the district
Continue to address equity work as part of the curriculum cycle/audit process
Identify district-wide professional development for 2022-23
Provide professional development for counselors and school psychologists related to working with students from diverse backgrounds
Explore securing a consultant to work with MTSS around DEI with specific focus on data
Plan a community-wide workshop to share DEI initiatives and gather feedback
Investigate speakers for 2022-23 focused on belonging and achievement
Connect with the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova consortiums for minority hiring to disseminate job postings to a larger audience
Expand presence at job fairs to garner interest from minority candidates for future job openings via targeted partnerships

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Webpage