PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For the last year, the School District of Philadelphia has been working to develop strategies to remove racist practices embedded in the school system.
A year ago, following the national reckoning over racial injustice, the district formed its equity coalition. Since then, the group has been working on an "equity audit," to examine demographics and identify areas that need improvement.
In July, as part of the effort, the district launched its office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Executive Director Estelle Acquah said school staff will receive anti-racism training and tailored school-based help from what she called "equity professional learning specialists." Ultimately, Acquah said, students will see more culturally relevant material in classes.
"That looks like, when we are engaging in critical texts and reading, we have examples in our texts of people that look like our students," she said.
"That we are making sure that the language that we're using as educators is affirming for all of our students. That we are making sure we are celebrating the cultures of all of our students in a very systemic way. That's very important so that students can feel affirmed.”
The changes won't happen overnight. Acquah described the district's initiative as a long-haul effort.