In order to ensure equitable learning environments, schools must implement strategies that help provide all students with access to courses that challenge and interest them. After instituting open enrollment practices at Danbury High School (DHS) for example, the percentage of students of color taking Advanced Placement courses increased from 30 to 51 percent from 2011 to 2018.
Meghan Martins, Associate Principal of Instruction for Secondary Schools in Danbury, Connecticut will discuss takeaways from this progress and facilitate an interactive dialogue about DHS’s transformation of its curriculum to focus on creating more equity and access to rigorous instruction for all students. The session will also include large group and small breakout discussions to determine the best ways to build on current open enrollment and detracking practices and/or develop new policies to provide students with greater choice in their education.
Participants will learn effective strategies for implementing and/or expanding policies around detracking and open enrollment to provide a more equitable learning environment for all students. Teachers and administrators will leave this session with the tools to drive this change within their own schools.
