Pillar A

Teaching Differently

Pillar A: Culturally Responsive, Differentiated Teaching

teacher with students

We are Teaching Differently: Whether we are talking about Universal Design for Learning or examining bias, we are refining how we think about instruction to meet the diverse needs of each learner. This looks like culturally responsive and differentiated teaching, social emotional learning, equitable assessment, student agency, and improved communication for underserved families so we meet every student with the support, conditions and resources they need to thrive.

Key Actions

SYSTEM-WIDE KEY ACTIONS
A1. Commit to the development of systems that advance the foundational beliefs that all students are general education students first, and experience belonging and inclusion *Year 2 Action 2024-25

A2. Infuse culturally sustaining pedagogy and Ethnic Studies into all grades and subject areas, which creates opportunities for student voice and choice integration of students' knowledge, culture, and experiences; exposure to real-world connections

A3. Provide teachers a K-12 SEL curriculum, differentiated professional development and ongoing support to facilitate integration of SEL in every classroom

A4. Teach aligned and calibrated to DJUSD Graduate Profile competencies from preschool to Grade 12 *Year 2 Action 2024-25

A5. Ensure Students are engaged in regular goal-setting progress monitoring, and the completion of a personal development plan

A6. Advance equitable grading practices through transparent calibrated and explicit assessment of student learning aligned to the DJUSD Graduate Profile

EQUITY-SPECIFIC KEY ACTIONS
A7. Co-construct solutions to student concerns in order to amplify their voice and agency

A8. Ensure instruction is culturally responsive, identify-affirming including consideration for intersectionality and representative of traditionally underserved communities

A9. Identify and address barriers to providing 2-way communication with students and families further from opportunity regarding the student's academic, social emotional and behavioral progress