Darlene Cameron

This report details how District 13 in New York is driving equitable education through a partnership with the International Baccalaureate (IB). The initiative, which began in 2021, involves implementing the IB's Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) in seven schools, leading to their authorization as IB World Schools in 2024. Key focus areas include fostering academic excellence, innovation, equity, and a student-centered approach, supported by comprehensive teacher professional development and parent engagement. The plan aims to achieve positive changes in student outcomes, classroom behavior, teacher job satisfaction, and parent engagement, ultimately empowering students to become inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring individuals ready for a global society.

The D13 Vision for EL Implementation focuses on improving literacy achievement and ensuring equitable outcomes for all students through a high-quality curriculum grounded in research-based reading instruction. The plan emphasizes providing teachers with training, resources, and time to implement the new curriculum effectively, building leadership capacity for coaching and feedback, and leveraging EL texts and tasks to expose students to diverse perspectives. The vision aims to create engaging learning experiences, build student confidence, and foster a partnership between families and schools to support student literacy development. Data will be gathered and analyzed to monitor progress.

District 13 is committed to building an anti-racist, anti-oppressive school district by implementing restorative justice practices. This approach prioritizes building strong relationships, creating a sense of belonging, and holding community members accountable for repairing harm. The plan focuses on developing the mindsets and skills necessary for healing and repair, investing equitable resources in restorative practices training, and building upon existing anti-racist initiatives. The ultimate goal is to create a school environment where every student feels seen and valued.

The vision for NYC Community School District 13 focuses on creating a strong sense of belonging and welcoming in all schools, where students are celebrated, challenged, and held to high expectations. Key areas include ensuring equitable student populations across schools, sustaining integration and culturally responsive education, strengthening connections between schools and local organizations, and providing continuous professional development for educators to foster inclusive classrooms and center equity. The plan also includes a funding framework to support partnerships with local organizations on STEM, arts, culture, and academic programs.