Research based.
In spite of decades of educational reform and federal mandates, inequities among students not only persist but are growing.
To eliminate these inequities, leaders must understand how their current piecemeal approaches are not only ineffective, but are exacerbating these inequities. Further, most equity work addresses only one aspect of inequities, such as culturally relevant pedagogy or developing culturally competent staff. Instead, leaders must learn how to transform the entire education system via Integrated Comprehensive Systems for (ICS). ICS is the only equity-focused work that takes a systems approach to eliminate inequities.
Key Features of ICS:
How is ICS Different from DEI Training?
What is the difference between the ICS approach to equity consulting and typical DEI training? Everything.
ICS moves beyond DEI training to a more thorough level of proactive, sustainable improvement across the entire system through our Four Cornerstone Framework and Implementation Process. We address the underlying perceptions, structures, instructional practices, policies, and funding that hold all students back. Our approach is rooted in over 100 years of practice as teachers, administrators, and university leaders combined with over 45 years of research.
| ICS | DEI Training |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Systems Change Focused on comprehensive systemic change through our Four Cornerstones Framework and Implementation Process. | Does Not Focus on Educational Systems Change Often a narrow focus on individuals and cultural awareness or anti-bias training. |
| A Proven Implementation Process for Sustainable Change Backed by implementation science, ICS includes a systemic, pragmatic, and structured implementation process over 3 to 4 years from the boardroom to the classroom. | Piece-Meal Implementation Process Training is provided only for specific staff members with no process for sustainable or system-wide change. |
| Addresses All Students in the District Across All Identities and Their Intersections All students’ achievement and behavioral outcomes improve throughout the implementation of the ICS Framework and Process. | Often Limited to Racial Bias Training Fails to address deficit-based educational systems and structures and all student identities and their intersections. |
| Move Beyond Root Cause Analysis Through the ICS Framework and Process, ICS analyzes systems of segregation and partners with districts to transform from deficit-based to proactive systems for all learners. | Traditional Root Cause Analysis Uses data and root-cause analysis to pinpoint and fix perceived deficits in students and families instead of the system. |
| Long-Term and Integrated Approach Our 3-year trainer-of-trainers approach includes multiple training sessions; access to Digital Modules with content, powerpoints, and activities to use within your schools; and structured school and district coaching to support leadership teams who train your staff. | Quick Band-Aid Approaches Often, short-term, one-off sessions or workshops focused on diversity activities available to only a small segment of school leaders or staff. |
| Data-Based Assessment to Measure Outcomes School and district leadership teams rely on the ICS proprietary Equity Audit as part of the implementation process to measure the baseline data in achievement and representation to monitor progress over time and to provide a continuous feedback loop to measure effectiveness | No Measurable Outcomes or Impact on Achievement Typical DEI training does not include any means to document measurable impact or outcomes on student success and achievement. |
| Addresses District Programs Including Special Education ICS addresses the entire district education system, including special education, Multi-Tier Systems of Support, advanced learning, alternative education, and multi-lingual support. | Does Not Address Special Education and Other Programs Typical DEI training does not address special education and other district programs that can perpetuate inequities. |
| Develops Educator Capacity to Lead the Work ICS facilitates a process that develops educator capacity via the district leadership team and school leadership teams to lead the work with their colleagues | Outside “Experts” Typical DEI training relies on outside “experts” to deliver the training |
| Proven Framework and Process that Transforms the Entire System ICS shifts the entire system from the classroom to the boardroom from a reactive to a proactive system that advances learning for all. | Lacking Results Typical DEI efforts lack a clear and actionable strategy and often result in wasted time and resources without improving student experiences or outcomes. |
The ICS Four Cornerstones
The ICS Four Cornerstones are implemented with community engagement and advance community development.
Cornerstone 1
Focus on Equity
A focus on equity guides all team decisions. To develop a focus on equity requires a thorough understanding of the educational history of marginalization, a shift from deficit vs. assets-based thinking and practice, advance our own identity development across differences, apply the equity research, complete an equity audit, and develop Equity Non-Negotiables.
Cornerstone 2
Align Staff and Students
Staff and students are aligned guided by the Equity Non-Negotiable of proportional representation. All staff share expertise through Co-Plan to Co-Serve to Co-Learn (C3)™ Teams in support of all learners.
Cornerstone 3
Transform Teaching and Learning
These Co-Plan to Co-Serve to Co-Learn (C3)™ Teams develop identity relevant and rigorous teaching and learning experiences with and for all students.
Cornerstone 4
Leverage Funding and Policy
All policies, procedures, and funding are aligned with the Equity Non-Negotiables and federal and state legislation is leveraged to eliminate inequities.
Who should use Integrated Comprehensive Systems?
All individuals who wish to eliminate inequities can benefit from the ICS Four Cornerstone Framework and Process, including educators in K-12 schools, districts, regions, state education agencies, educator preparation programs, universities, and community agencies.