Iszy Hirschtritt Licht

In this Q&A, two district leaders at Akron Public Schools discuss how the Making Equitable Schools Audit approach aligns with district efforts to develop a culture of safety and belonging.

Ohio school districts are invited to join the Making Equitable Schools Audit (MESA) partnership, which strives to ensure that all members of a school community--including students, teachers, and staff--experience a safe and supportive school environment. MESA is a yearlong facilitated and collaborative approach designed to help schools use existing data and leverage community-wide relationships to move toward more equitable and belonging-filled experiences for all members of a school community.

Many communities are working to confront inequities that permeate all aspects of our systems, including education. Learn how REL Midwest is partnering with school leadership teams in Ohio to develop an approach that supports school communities in engaging in equity conversations that are productive and informed by data.

REL Midwest's Making Equitable School Audit partnership is working with Akron Public Schools to develop and implement an equity audit focused on safe and supportive high school environments. This blog post highlights the initial equity audit with Ellet Community Learning Center and next steps for the partnership.

REL Midwest's Making Equitable Schools Audit (MESA) partnership is working with Akron Public Schools in Ohio to reduce exclusionary discipline referrals and improve sense of belonging for all students.

Students are more likely to succeed in school when they feel physically and emotionally safe, connected to school, respected by adults, and academically challenged...