A Lens for This Work

This research is grounded in a lens that aims to address systemic racism, as well as is critical of traditional norms in assessment design, report use, and instructional design. While it would take the entirety of the focus of this platform to unpack the meaning of each, it’s important to dive into each a bit below. 

The status quo of disparity in school outcomes (across nearly all demographics and data points) is a result of many factors. While one of these realities includes systemic disparities, while we collectively fight for equity on all fronts in society at large, a focus on what is in our locus of control is what will have the most profound direct impact on the lives of children in front of us. This is not futile nor de minimus in any form: any good teacher has seen the wild impact we have every day on the lives of children, and that’s the practical optimism with which this blog will focus.

When talking about critical lens, it is implied in many references in all my blog posts, whereas the deeper discussion on this topic is likely best saved for authentic engagement if we partner together. These are also very sensitive topics that are best articulated when we can engage in a way in which we can listen, reflect, and be vulnerable in our learning together. What is the root of disparities in outcomes, which we will likely discover when analyzing data? What does this mean for every school community, as each one is unique? Being culturally responsive to the needs of a community is not a sticker on a book, but a journey grounded in relationships and the funds of knowledge a community holds. Together, we can dive into this. 

My sincere hope is that, whether we engage directly or not, the concepts presented here are both familiar to you now or after you take time to dig into them, and the information and guidance I share in each post feels as if it relates to the urge of these topics.