Equity

Removing barriers to student success

We want every student to learn, grow, and graduate into rewarding careers and fulfilling lives. Ensuring every student has the resources and support needed to succeed is our equity work. Our district staff removes barriers to success by providing support and resources. We also work to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, creating safe and respectful environments where every student can thrive.

We recognize that:

Learning is best supported in school climates grounded in respect, responsibility, and the repair of harm (restorative practices).
Students need multiple opportunities to demonstrate learning.
Strengthening early literacy skills gives students an essential foundation for academic success.
Clear communication, responsible decision-making, practical problem-solving, and relationship-building can directly impact academic achievement.
Consistent classroom evaluation practices and reliable family communications about student performance improve student outcomes.

Current Initiatives

Several staff-based committees and groups drive our work forward:
- The Multicultural Action Committee (MAC) helps our schools plan and host multicultural celebrations and activities. The MAC is open to community members and staff! Grants are awarded annually to schools to help support their multicultural education efforts.
- The Equity Advisory Team and its subcommittees guide several components of the district's equity work.
- The Dual Language Advisory is growing and developing our Dual Language Program.
- We hold Community Cafés to explore perspectives in our community. See the Harvests from the Cafés.
NTPS elementary schools participate in the One School, One Book program. Students at all grade levels read and discuss a unique book as a school each month. The chosen books explore our social justice standards and help build a sense of school community.

Staff Training

We invest in our educators and leaders so they are prepared to support our diverse student community. Trainings include:

The NTPS PAUSE framework helps staff make decisions and solve problems.
Universal Design for Learning – Principles of inclusive learning practices; examples of successful classroom integration.
Least restrictive environment and inclusion – Maximizing opportunities for all students to benefit from high-quality instruction.
Social-emotional learning as the foundation for educational success – Practices to ensure students understand their dignity and honor the dignity of others.
Advancing equity - Examining opportunities to engage in ethnic studies across grade levels and curriculum.
Cultural appropriation – Understanding the complex relationships of recognition, celebration, and cultural sensitivity.
Teacher clarity – Empowering students with clear learning intentions and explicit success criteria.
Social justice standards - Recognizing core values of identity, diversity, justice, and action to build relationships and develop solutions in our schools and community.
Ongoing optional professional development courses include recognizing racism, cultural appropriation, ethnic studies, a restorative approach to discipline, supporting students who carry behavioral challenges, and diversity in the workplace.

Policies & Practices

PAUSE Framework

We use the PAUSE framework in our approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

P — Pause before deciding.

A — Ask, “Is this anti-racist?”

U — Understand the impact and context of your decision.

S — Seek additional perspectives.

E — Equity Lens: Is my decision about what's fair or what's just?

What is the decision, policy, or practice under consideration?
What are the desired results?
What do the multiple data points say, and how do we know they are unbiased?
Who will benefit or be burdened by your decision?
What biases and privileges are you bringing to this decision?
Whose perspectives and voices need to be involved and centered on?
How is this decision anti-racist?
If limitations are identified, where are the opportunities to say yes?

Multicultural Action Committee

Nisqually Tribal flag with image and words Medicine Creek Nation and a salmon & net. — Nisqually Tribe Partnership

Recognition

June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

June is Pride month, recognizing LGBTQIA+ culture.

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