Diversity

(Updated from an article originally written prior to the pandemic, in consultation with John Prosser, Assistant Principal, Bethel High School, Bethel School District and Committee Member) Bethel High School serves 1,800 students with diverse needs, from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Students come from all socioeconomic, academic, and cultural backgrounds, and meeting the needs of all students can be a challenge. To ensure that each student is reached every day, equity is an intentional focus of Bethel High School and the district, and a driving force in strategic planning and decision making.

ADDRESSING INEQUITIES

Bethel established a District Equity Team that first met in December 2019. This team includes staff, parents, and community members who are committed to work together in a two-year study focusing on racial equality in Bethel. The goal of this study is to develop a baseline of current equity practices within the district, create a multi-year district wide equity plan, and to create a way to measure district equity and inclusivity success.

Additionally, Bethel welcomed two new hires for first-time positions in fall of the 2019 school year: Equity Specialists, who ensure equity stays at the forefront of decision making in each building. Last year, at the building level, we tackled tough conversations, taught students how to navigate systems and report concerns, and continually tracked data to ensure equitable practices in discipline. This work was furthered this school year, through on-going equity training and a continued focus on school-wide discipline. These trainings accompanied a substantive change to discipline practices, including the elimination of all detentions and transition away from punitive discipline practices. Classroom exclusion is now only used for direct safety-related issues.

Bethel has also focused on breaking down barriers and providing equitable access to educational opportunities for all students, through their partnership with the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI).

Bethel School District is the second school in Washington state to commit to a partnership with the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). NMSI focuses specifically on preparing students for STEM careers through advanced placement offerings that align to careers with lower representation of women and people of color.

Bethel High School continues to work diligently to remove obstacles that prevent students from academic confidence and success, and NMSI has demonstrable results in promoting equity in both enrollment and student success. All around the United States, NMSI has led to increased enrollment in AP classes across all ethnic demographics, with an increase in college readiness to match. This partnership strives to improve student outcomes by leveraging collective teacher efficacy and high expectations for all. One goal of this partnership is increasing the percent of students in Advanced Placement (AP) classes and, more importantly, providing support to ensure their retention and success within these courses.

For the previous two academic years, Bethel intentionally recruited students who may not have previously considered themselves an AP student, and ensured AP demographics matched those of Bethel High School. As part of this work, the NMSI team coordinated to increase recruitment of non-traditional AP students and support them throughout the year. The hope is that by breaking down barriers, all students begin to see themselves as capable of anything. This year, overall student demographics continue to match that of students enrolled in AP courses.

The unique dynamics of this year, lead to innovation. John Prosser, who currently oversees the NMSI program at BHS shared, “The pandemic exposed inequities within remote instruction. Our partnership with NMSI has helped address some of those inequities.” To support AP students in the pandemic, NMSI was able to provide an additional $23,000 for laptops and hotspots to improve student access to online opportunities. These resources have helped AP students find success.

EVERY STUDENT AN AP STUDENT

Each year, students from current AP classes teach a lesson to all of our students about how AP classes can be the first step towards careers in specific fields. AP classes are advertised at all athletic events and in morning announcements. Recruitment begins early on for students. Counselors meet with all 8th graders each February to promote the importance of rigorous classes and taking learning risks. Staff also reach out to students individually to personally invite students to the AP program. Equitable to AP classes is a guiding focus of work at BHS. For example, as part of the NMSI team’s data review, it became apparent that many students would not be able to take an AP math class senior year due to math pathways. As a result, an advanced algebra and geometry math course were combined to expand opportunities for students. The goal is to show students that every student can be an AP student, and this goal is beginning to come to fruition.

But the NMSI partnership is more than just recruitment into AP classes. Students receive a variety of supports throughout the year. One of the most influential supports are the special Saturday sessions, which provide additional practice for the end of course AP exam, as well as access to extended content and exposure to a different instructor. These sessions are structured to mirror college classes, exposing students to a glimpse of college life. They also provide an opportunity for students across the district to make connections and build community and peer support.