Essay: Diversity within DeSoto County School District

Executive Summary
District Summary
DeSoto County, Mississippi is located in the northwest corner of the state, sharing a northern border with Tennessee and Arkansas directly west. With an estimated population of nearly 170,890, DeSoto County has grown to be the third largest county in the state (Datawheel, 2016).  The county is also home to one of the largest school districts in Mississippi. For the 2017-2018 academic year, DeSoto County School District had approximately 33,991 students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12th grade (Mississippi Department of Education, 2018).
With the proximity to Memphis, Tennessee, and the delta region of the state, Desoto County School District is considered a transient district, which simply means that many students will transfer from Memphis, Tennessee or other surrounding districts into DeSoto County for education. This continues to be a significant factor in the diversity rate for the district. See Table A, which represents the district enrollment by subgroup.
TABLE A: POPULATION ENROLLMENT
Asian African American Hispanic / Latino American Indian White Pacific Islander Two or More Races Total
STUDENT TOTAL 539 12,339 1,716 38 17,228 36 2,095 33,991
STUDENT PERCENT 1.6% 36.3% 5.1% .1% 50.7% .1% 6.2% 100%
Source: (Mississippi Department of Education, 2018)
Diversity Defined
According to Dictionary.com, diversity is defined as “the inclusion of individuals representing more than one national origin, color, religion, socioeconomic stratum, sexual orientation, etc.” In regard to the district viewpoint of diversity, the focus is on identifying the true needs of all students, regardless of race, religion to further enhance learning and prepare all students equally for their future.
Justification for the Diversity Plan
The DeSoto County School District has determined a greater need for an updated diversity plan to further ensure all students are being provided an equal and effective learning environment, thus best preparing them for college and careers beyond graduation. Data from previous years has shown a significant increase in student enrollment from diverse backgrounds. In order to be effective, we must ensure we are taking all necessary steps to maintain our vision. We intend to accomplish these goals by improving cultural awareness among teachers and staff members as well as with students. We also intend to accomplish these goals through continued communication between teachers and the community.
Mission for the district and Vision
The DeSoto County School District is dedicated to ensuring world-class academic excellence within a safe learning environment, while providing a variety of exceptional extra-curricular programs that foster the physical, social, and emotional growth of all students (DeSoto County School District, 2018). In order to continue to strive for the success of our goals, we believe that our plan begins within the school with complete understanding of our students and staff. We will continue to work toward an effective team of teachers who will continuously meet to discuss diversity related situations and further provide training and feedback to the rest of the staff.
Statement of Priorities
According to the Mississippi Accountability Annual Report Card for 2016-2017, minority students statistically scored lower on statewide assessments. In keeping this in mind we have developed the following goals:
1. Increasing cultural awareness within the teachers and staff at the school.
2. Improving communication between staff and students through positive communication.
3. Increase culturally diverse teachers, administrators, and staff members and retain
4. Increase cultural awareness through improved communication between teachers/schools and the community.
5. Increase engagement in the classroom through differentiated learning strategies and implementation of greater cultural awareness within our curriculum standards.
Delegation of Responsibilities
In order to be most effective with the diversity plan, it will be fundamental to include district personnel as well as teachers and administrators from the school level. We also believe that progression toward the goals will only be possible with communication between the schools and key stakeholders from within the local community.
Statement of Accountability
We expect an appropriate timeline of three years to which we will evaluate all initial goals set forth in this diversity plan. In doing so we will confirm that goals are being completed as stated or that appropriate modifications are being made to better meet the needs of the students.
District Diversity Advisory Committee
In order to provide the opportunity to best suit the needs of the students through increasing diversity awareness, it is imperative to create a leadership team. Below are nine identified members of the leadership team. Together they will work to ensure each goal is being met adequately.
R. Kuykendall, Director of Research and Accountability
R.K. has served as the District Testing Coordinator for approximately eight years. Prior to this position, he was a school counselor as well as a school assistant principal. His background includes analyzing and determining effective security measurements for district and state mandated assessments and data from such assessments.
T. Spencer, Associate Superintendent of Academic Services
T.S. is responsible for overseeing Leadership Development, Research and Accountability, Special Education, English Learners, and Curriculum departments.
S. Jones, Principal of Southaven High School
S.K. has been the head principal for Southaven High School (SHS) for approximately eight years. SHS is one of the largest high schools in the state of Mississippi.
L. Williams, Counselor at Southaven High School, Parent of senior student at SHS
L.W. is a minority female counselor at Southaven High School. She has been employed with SHS for approximately five years. She has one daughter that is a senior at SHS, and another daughter that is at Southaven Middle School.
P. Conrad, Pastor Life Fellowship Church, Southaven, MS
Lead Pastor for Life Fellowship Church. LF Church has four campuses throughout DeSoto County, Mississippi. P.C. has a strong focus on the community and a goal to reach every family within the county and beyond.
R. Dixon, English Language Learner (ELL) Head Teacher at Southaven High School
With 47 years’ experience in education, R.D. has served as a head principal, superintendent, before returning back to Southaven High School as the EL teacher. He is often called on as the communication liaison between staff members and non-English speaking families.
S. Green, Director English Language Learners (ELL)
S.G. has served as the director of English Language Learner Services for approximately three years. Prior to her current position, she served as the EL Liaison between district personnel and families.
S. Kellum, Student at Southaven High School
Currently a senior student at Southaven High School, S.K. maintains a 3.5 or higher GPA and is active in various organizations at school.
A. Alduhami, Student at Southaven High School
A.A. is a minority student returning to Southaven High School this fall as a junior. This will be her third year attending Southaven High School. Prior to entering into SHS, her family relocated from the Middle East.
Strategic Diversity Plan
In order to maintain our vision and mission, the DeSoto County School District and an appointed committee have created five goals which will serve as the primary focus throughout the duration of the plan.
1. Recruit and retain additional teachers, administrators, and staff members to broaden ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Expand on available job opportunities to search for possible candidates at a nationwide level.
Timeline: 2019
1.1 Provide incentives for newly hired employees, such as more competitive salaries and benefits. Increased incentives for positions to also include partial or full tuition reimbursement.
1.2 Expand the search market targeting colleges and universities with a visible diverse student population base.
1.3 Increase teacher motivation to pursue graduate level degrees through scholarships and district grants.
2 Increasing cultural awareness within the teachers and staff at the school.
Timeline: Ongoing
2.1 Provide ongoing training on diversity for all teachers, staff, administrators, and district level personnel semi-annually
2.2 Provide quarterly diversity training at each school to allow teachers and staff to collaborate towards better inclusion of diversity within lessons.
2.3 Create a committee of diverse staff members to align diversity trainings throughout the school year.
3 Improving communication between staff and students through positive communication.
Timeline: 2020
3.1 Provide equal resources to all students which would aid in enhancing learning ability. Examples may include tablets, laptops, etc. which would be provided to every student free of charge as a rental process.
3.2 Introduce and successfully run student-based organizations which minority students may be matched with a mentor or partner student and teacher to have throughout the school year.
3.3 Create diverse elective classes to increase awareness of diversity within the community.
4 Increase cultural awareness through improved communication between teachers/schools and the community.
Timeline: Ongoing
4.1 Increase awareness of community events that are directly related to diversity.
4.2 Increase awareness of diverse clubs and organizations within the community and become partners with the organizations.
4.3 Provide school-related events throughout the academic year which includes equal representation of diverse backgrounds within the community.
5 Increase engagement in the classroom through differentiated learning strategies and implementation of greater cultural awareness within our curriculum standards.
Timeline: 2019
5.1 Establish a diversity committee to include teachers and community stakeholders to develop lessons which increase diversity awareness
5.2 Ensure that all classrooms provide full inclusion of culturally different and minority students.
5.3 Allow teachers the opportunity to purchase materials and supplements that aid in increasing diversity awareness.
5.4 Utilize differentiated learning to encourage students to speak about cultural experiences in the classroom.
Conclusion
DeSoto County School District maintains the mission to ensure world-class academic excellence for all students enrolled within the district. In maintaining correct alignment with our mission, it is the responsibility of the district and the committee set in place to ensure that the goals stated above are being reached at all times. Diversity rates are increasing at an explosive rate and it is vital for our school district to remain a district that is open and willing to equally educate every student that enrolls into any school within the district.