Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Renton School Board approves HR goal to create recruitment, hiring, and retention plan as part of 2021-2022 Strategic Framework

SERVICE: Family & Community Engagement

Build upon improved family connections established during closure to deepen meaningful family engagement to promote student learning.

• Schools will provide opportunities for meaningful participation in events and student learning via multiple methods.
• School and district staff will communicate in a culturally responsive and respectful manner, including use of tools and resources to address language differences. Partner with families and our community to support secondary students attaining their desired post-secondary futures.
• Secondary schools will develop plans to support all students in attaining their desired postsecondary futures.
• The Career and College Readiness Team will work with schools to host financial planning, graduation pathway, and post-secondary events for students and families.

EXCELLENCE: Excellence in Learning & Teaching

Focus on effective instructional practices to improve engagement and learning for all students. • Schools will engage in continuous cycles of evidenced-based examination of student learning. • Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (CIA) and school administrators will expand professional learning opportunities to meaningfully engage staff in continuous professional growth.

• The Department of Learning and Teaching will align district practices and resources to improve instructional and social-emotional practices.
• The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee will partner with CIA to develop a vision of culturally relevant/responsive teaching practices, which CIA will work with schools to support.

EQUITY: Removing Barriers & Supporting Students

Expand practices to support the social-emotional needs of all learners so they can engage in their classroom and school communities.

• Schools will continue to work to create safe, welcoming environments that support the social-emotional needs of all learners.
• District Student Support Team will work with the UW School Mental Health Assessment Research and Training (SMART) community mapping project to create action plans that provide systematic and equitable access to mental health resources for students. Create, implement, and assess a formal Human Resources recruitment, hiring, and retention plan that aligns with RSD Core Values and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work.
• Human Resources team will develop a plan for recruiting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce.

Renton Innovation Zone creates new pathways for student success

Through Renton Schools District’s Renton Innovation Zone (RIZ) initiative, staff at five elementary schools are engaging in new improvement strategies to increase student engagement and independence, design instruction that is based on conceptual understanding, and building classroom and school communities that support all learners in meeting standard. In addition, these schools are working to increase social emotional learning outcomes by implementing coherent schoolwide plans and to build broader and deeper connections with community partners to provide additional opportunities and supports for students and families, including additional out of school opportunities.

Current Renton Innovation Zone Schools:

• Bryn Mawr Elementary
• Campbell Hill Elementary
• Highlands Elementary
• Lakeridge Elementary
• Sartori Elementary

Inclusive education is achieved when each student’s needs are considered individually and not based on disability, race, gender, sexual orientation, wealth, or available services. The neighborhood school, general education classroom, and general education curriculum are always considered first in determining services. In all cases, the student is considered a full member of the school community. 

Renton School District's Guiding Principles for Inclusion for Students with Disabilities:

• All students are educated in the general education classroom to the greatest extent appropriate. 
• All students are educated in the neighborhood school to the greatest extent possible. 
• Expectations are high for all students. 
• General education curriculum is the standard. 
• Instruction is standards-based. 
• Decisions are made based on each individual student needs and not labels and places. 
• Instructional and behavioral supports are considered prior to decisions about personal support.

Visit our Special Education Services web page for more information.

Renton's Highly Capable Program established a vision and accompanying goals that reflect a commitment to increasing opportunities for students who may not have historically had access to Highly Capable programs. This vision guides our identification practice and professional development for teachers. As part of the identification process, multiple data points are used to identify academically highly capable students who would most benefit from services. Through the process, we continually strive to welcome new cohorts of students that reflect and represent our student demographics and population.

In elementary school, we have a strengths-based approach to grouping students in the Highly Capable Program: K-5th at all of our elementary schools and 3rd-5th self-contained Discovery classrooms in two of our schools. Our program supports students in developing their strengths and interests throughout their school careers.

In middle school, students may self-select Honors courses. 6th graders can choose from Honors English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Math, while 7th-8th graders have the options to register for English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. In high school, students may self-select into advanced coursework, including Honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Running Start.

With the goal of continuing to create powerful learning experiences for all students and in alignment with the core value of equity, the Renton School District has invested in technology to support student learning through the voter-approved technology levy. The district technology plan outlines our plan for access for students grounded in a vision of digital learning which relies on intentional and innovative uses of technology and focuses on collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking as well as connection.

GEAR UP program aims to drastically increase number of students prepared to succeed in post-secondary education

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, is a national college readiness program designed to drastically increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education. The grant hopes to deepen its efforts with school districts and community organizations to make college a reality for more middle and high school students in the state. 

Now in it's third year, GEAR UP has had quite the impact on our students. Last year, over 1000 students received GEAR UP services, utilizing the after-school tutoring program, enrolling in the AVID Elective Course, and participating in various GEAR UP clubs and office hours events. Over 250 students were able to explore local 2 and 4 year college campus, and were able to explore campuses like the University of California-Berkeley,  the University of Wyoming, Stanford University, and the Airforce Academy through our virtual tours experience. Approximately 500 students were able to meet with various industry professionals and learn about different careers that interested them. GEAR UP was also able to connect with almost 500 families to talk about high school success, college preparation and career exploration!

Purpose

The DEI Committee was established in the 2020-2021 Strategic Framework to "empower critical conversations about equity and spur meaningful action."

Areas of Focus

The DEI Committee has two areas of focus for the 2022-2023 school year: communicating and connecting Renton's equity efforts throughout the district community and sponsoring the use of the new CCDEI standards in schools as a guiding resource.

Members (2022-2023)

• Teri Barlow, ELA/SS Facilitator
• Dr. Winston Benjamin, Teacher Induction and Evaluation Facilitator
• Aneeka Ferrell, Recruitment Coordinator, Human Resources
• Emily Ganyo, Executive Director, Human Resources
• Travis Hall, Principal, Renton Academy
• Jaime Maxie, Principal, Hilltop Heritage Elementary School
• Nemasia Moala, Native Education Coordinator
• Ebony Pattenaude, Director of Early Learning & RIZ Partnerships
• Gioia Pitts, Chief of Secondary Schools
• John Schmitz, Chief of Elementary Schools
• Andre Stemm-Calderon, Assistant Principal, Kennydale Elementary School
• Pamela Washington, Principal, Renton Park Elementary School