Equity by Any Other Name: An Exploration of Detracking the Comprehensive High-School-Through-Critical-Leadership Praxis

• In Event: Leading and Supporting Equity-Oriented Practices in Schools and Districts

Abstract

Tracking has evolved in particular ways within the U.S. comprehensive public high school and has been influenced by distinct beliefs about students and the potential of the system to teach them: one is the belief that students are inherently different in their potential and aptitude; second, that the educational experience is unlikely to change the potential or aptitude that students enter school with, third is that it is simple and easy to sort students according to their pre-set learning potential and future aptitude. For our paper session, we will facilitate a dialogue that addresses a single complex and critical question: How can administrators de-track in an urban, comprehensive high school as a successful school improvement and equity reform?

Authors

• Katie Nitka, Salt Lake City School District

• Nicole C. Wilson Steffes, University of Utah & Westminster University

• Michelle Amiot, Salt Lake City School District

• Greg Maughan, South Summit

• Laura Cheney, University of Utah

• Aurora Torrejon, Salt Lake City School District

• Jeff Lutz, Salt Lake City School District

• Laurence Parker, University of Utah