Making Diversity by Design Plans Work for All Students

• In Event: Diversity by Design: New Visions for School Districts That Serve All Students

Abstract

Often, a school’s demographics are defined by families’ ability to afford rent or home prices in certain neighborhoods, with wealthier families choosing areas where schools’ reputations match parents’ expectations for student achievement and even homogeneity. This panelist’s goal as a school district leader is to simplify access to enrollment so families who often don’t know about different educational options can exercise that choice.

In addition, he oversees a design process to help existing schools try new approaches driven by educators interested in launching school redesign initiatives that promote deeper learning. In this last group—which includes most schools in the district—the goal is for educators to gain more autonomy in exchange for accountability in what they want to use to accelerate student achievement. Central to his plan are schools that are intentionally integrated by socioeconomic status.

This panelist has wide experience in launching districtwide transformation initiatives and brings to the symposium a wealth of on the ground, grassroot expertise in what it takes to create and sustain initiatives that prioritize disrupting school segregation and promoting integration.

The essential question this panelist addresses is: What are the most important considerations in building a diversity by design plan?

Author

• Mohammed Choudhury, San Antonio Independent School District