interruption

During her keynote presentation, Dr. Nancy Dome explored what equity can look like in schools when implementation is intentional and relationships are at the core.

Much of the time when we look at data it is through a deficit lens, which allows us to separate ourselves from the outcomes and lay the majority of the responsibility on the individual. However, research has demonstrated the connection between building meaningful relationships and student achievement and reduced student discipline. Thus, like any good implementation, effectiveness and success is a product of intentionality and lots of practice. This means we have to begin to invest our resources and time into supporting staff to build their own awareness of self while concurrently shifting the focus from primarily one of content to one of developing social supports to strengthen relationships with students. Relationships are paramount to provide a foundation of support and purpose.

Dr. Dome spoke at the Equity Symposium presented by the State Performance Plan Technical Assistance Project that was funded by the California Department of Education, Special Education Division, and co-hosted by Student Involvement and the Chicano and Latino Studies departments at Sonoma State University. The Equity Symposium was held October 18, 2018.