Biracial Advisory Committee

Selma Hobby 15 August 1990 NOTES FROM BI-RACIAL COMMITTEE WORKSHOPS CONDUCTED BY BRADLEY SCOTT (Note: Bradley Scott is from the Intercultural Development Research Association, San Antonio, Texas.) Comriients by James Jennings Necessary Components for Desegregation 1. 2. 3. 4. Commitment to desegregation Present desegregation in a positive light Financial support Comprehensive monitoring process Jennings thinks that the LRSD now has all of the above components. Comments by Bradley Scott HISTORY OF DESEGREGATION I. First Generation (1954-19640____________________ L>Brown v. Board of Education A. GOAL: PHYSICAL DESEGREGATION ^1964 Civil Rights Act Passed
LBJ, President B. CONCERNS 1. Physical Assignment Plans 2. Elimination of Racial Isolation 3. Elimination of Bias and Stereotypes in Curriculum II. Second Generation (1964-19^32_____________ U1964 Civil Rights Act 1->Publication of A Nation At Risk A. GOAL: EQUAL ACCESS AND TREATMENT WITHIN SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS B. CONCERNS 1. Access to courses and programs 2. Elimination of Discriminatory Practices a. Are all students having access to all programs, both academic and extra-curricular? b. Students can not be denied access because of race, gender, or economic status.III. Third Generation (1983 - Present) I^A Nation At Risk A. GOAL: B, IV. Page 2 Hobby ELIMINATE PHYSICAL RESEGREGATION
PROVIDE EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN
ACHIEVE COMPARABLE OUTCOMES AMONG IDENTIFIED POPULATIONS. CONCERNS 1. 2. 3. 4. Development of Culturally Sensitive Curriculum Vary Instruction to Match Learning. Heighten Teacher Expectations. Eliminate Achievement Gaps (between identifiable groups of people). Definitions of Terms A. Discrimination - denial of access to a person's rights under the law B. Equality - the notion that all students are treated the same without regard to race, sex, national origin, handicapping condition or economic circumstance. We found that when we treated everybody alike, we ended C. up discriminating against some. Equity - the result of' a process which accepts that students who are different.because of race, sex, national origin, handicapping condition, or economic circumstances enter the educational setting with varying needs, as well as knowledge, skill, and abilities. treated in such a way to respond to these differences. They must be D. II Environmental Scanning" - looking at the status quo
observing things as they are at the time of the team visit
a snapshot in time V. Hints for Monitoring A. We are monitoring for equity. have been set and are being carried out. First, we have to be sure goals, strategies, etc. B. We want to make sure that the curriculum is presented in a multi-cultural manner, one that is culturally relevant. C. The Bi-racial Committee only collects data
it has no enforcement power. D. The PRE staff does not lead the team, nor does it write the report
members serve as technical assistants.c ' -0 r~ \ OFFICE OF DESEGREGATION MONITORING 201 EAST MARKHAM, SUITE 510 HERITAGE WEST BUILDING LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201 Q April 8, 1991 James Jennings, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation Little Rock School District 501 Sherman Little Rock, AR 72202 Dear Mr. Jennings: Attached is a corrected copy of the April 3, 1991, letter to you regarding the Biracial Committee, letter for the April 3, 1991. Please substitute the attached Sincerely, Arma Hart Associate DirectorOFFICE OF DESEGREGATION MONITORING 201 EAST MARKHAM, SUITE 510 HERITAGE WEST BUILDING LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201 April 3, 1991 James Jennings, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation Lirtle Rock School District 810 West Markham, Suite 510 Little Rock, AR 72201 Dear Mr. Jennings: Per our telephone conversation today, April 3, 1991, the LRSD plans to recruit members from the local school biracial committee to add to the District's Biracial Advisory Committee so that the work of the district committee will not be stymied by the school board's refusal to appoint new members. As you stated, the Biracial Committee has monitored and made reports on Incentive Schools in October and February and the ODM can expect to receive the last quarterly reports in April and May. Since this is a court required committee, I hope that the problem of rapid turnovers will become a moot issue. Ann and I would be happy to schedule a meeting with Chris and/or district officials to assist in helping you find a resolution to this problem. Sincerely, Arma Hart Associate DirectorOFFICE OF DESEGREGATION MONITORING 201 EAST MARKHAM, SUITE 510 HERITAGE WEST BUILDING LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201 April 3, 1991 James Jennings, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation Little Rock School District 810 West Markham, Suite 510 Little Rock, AR 72201 Dear Mr. Jennings: Per our telephone conversation today, April 3, 1991, the LRSD plans to recruit members from the local school biracial committee to add to the District's Biracial Advisory Committee so that the work of the district committee will not be stymied by the school board's refusal to appoint new members. As you stated, the Biracial Committee has monitored and made reports on Incentive Schools in October and February and the ODM can expect to receive the last quarterly reports in April and May. Since this is a court required committee, I hope that the problem of rapid turnovers will become a mute issue. Ann and I would be happy to schedule a meeting with Chris and/or district officials to assist in helping you find a resolution to this problem. Sincerely, Arma Hart Associate Director TO: FROM
SUBJECT: LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas May 21, 1991 72201 Dr. Ruth Steele, Superintendent pf Schools i James Jennings, Associate Superintendent for > Desegregation Monitoring and Program Development Revised Proposal for Biracial Committee Membership During the special meeting of the Board of Directors on May 16, it was suggested that the May 3 proposal for selecting Biracial Committee members be revised to increase the representation from southwest Little Rock, concern. The following proposal addresses this Revised Proposal for Biracial Committee Membership A. The existing members will remain on the committee until their terms expire. on May 20. (See attachment) Dr. Gerald Mullikin resigned B. The committee will be expanded to 28 members. This will assist the committee in monitoring the seven incentive schools each quarter. C. The nine nominees will be added to the committee. It should be noted that the Board always has the option to substitute another nominee for an applicant recommended by the Biracial Committee. All applications are normally given to the Board for review in case a Board member wants to recommend approval of an applicant who wasn't recommended by the Biracial Coirmittee. D. Nine of the remaining vacancies will be filled by individuals from the Fair and McClellan attendance zones. These persons will represent the three organizational levels. In filling these vacancies, first preference will be given to school biracial committee members. E. The Joshua Intervenors will be allowed to make one appoint- ment to the Biracial Committee immediately. Four of the existing committee members will complete their terms at the end of the 1991-92 school year. These four vacancies will be filled by the Joshua Intervenors at the end of the 1991-92 school year or as vacancies occur during the 1991-92 school year. All appointments made by the JoshuaBiracial Committee Membership page two Intervenors must comply with the race and gender require- ments for the committee. (NOTE! This proposal has not been shared with the Joshua Intervenors as of the above date. proposal.) The Joshua Intervenors did not approve the first This process will give the Joshua Intervenors a total of five appointees. F. Vacancies that occur after all Joshua appointees have been added to the conmitteo will be based on the four high school attendance zones. As vacancies occur, the schools in each high school attendance zone will make appointments on a rotating basis. C ' ' x..._ i One high school representative, two junior high school representatives, and two elementary, representa- All appointments must comply tives will come from each zone. with the race and gender requirements for the committee. G. Three at-large positions will be available after all attendance zone appointments have been completed. The Biracial Committee does not plan to recommend this proposal to the Board of Directors.liEUa 11' YEARS REMAINING Goforth Coleman Brenda Donald Judy Magness James Mitchell Gerald Mullikin Jackie Patel Christine Patterson Bennie Smith Mary Swift Jesse Yarborough 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 CSS^BETO: FROM: THROUGH: SUBJECT: OEXHe Little Rock School District May 24, 1991 Chris Heller, LRSD Attorney James Jennings, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation Monitoring and Program Development Dr. Ruth Steele, Superintendent of Schools Process for Selecting Biracial Committee Members The LRSD Board of Directors voted 4-1 to approve the attached proposal for selecting new Biracial Committee members. Please share the attachment with the Office of Desegregation Monitoring and the Joshua Intervenors. The Board is aware of the fact that this proposal has not been approved by the Joshua Intervenors. 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)374-3361TO: FROM: THROUGH: SUBJECT
c LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 010 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas August 26, 1991 Chris Heller, LRSD Attorney 72201 James Jennings, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation Monitoring and Community Services Dr. Ruth Steele, Superintendent of Schools Committee Representatives from Joshua Intervenors According to the incentive school plan, the Incentive School Program Parent Council will be formed to monitor all activities related to the incentive school program. The Council must consist of two parent representatives from each incentive school and four members at-large appointed by the Joshua Intervenors. Please ask Mr. Walker to submit the names of his representatives by September 11. Also, the new selection process for the LRSD Biracial Committee permits up to five appointments by the Joshua Intervenors. One of these appointments can be made immediately and the remaining positions will be filled through attrition or at the end of the 1991-92 school year, whichever comes first. Please ask Mr. Walker to submit the name of his appointee as soon as possible. In order to ensure that the Committee maintains racial and gender balance, the Joshua appointee needs to be a black male. cc
Arma Hart FRIDAY. ELDREDGE & CLARK HERSCHEL H. FRIDAY, R.A. B- S. CLARK ROBERT V. LIGHT. R.A. JAMES W. MOORE BYRON M. EISEMAN. JR.. P.A. JOE D. BELL, R.A. MICHAEL O. THOMRSON. R.A. JOHN C. ECHOLS. P.A. JAMES A. BUTTRY, P.A. FREDERICK S. URSERT, P.A. H. T. LARZELERE. R.A. OSCAR E. DAVIS. JR. JAMES C. CLARK. JR.. P.A. THOMAS R. LEOOETT. R.A. JOHN DEWEY WATSON. R.A. PAUL B. BENHAM III. R.A. LARRY W. BURKS. P.A. A. WYCKLIFF NISBET. JR., R.A JAMES EDWARD HARRIS, R.A. J. PHILLIP MALCOM, R.A. JAMBS M. SIMRSON. R.A. MEREDITH R. CATLETT. P.A. JAMES M. SAXTON. P.A. J. BHERHBRD RUBBELL III DONALD H. BACON. P.A. WILLIAM THOMAS BAXTER. P. WALTER A. PAULSON II. P.A. BARRY E. COPLIN. P.A. RICHARD D. TAYLOR, RA. JOSEPH B. HURST, JR., RA. ELIZABETH J. ROBBEN. P.A. CHRISTOPHER HELLER. RA. A PARTNERSHIP OF INOfVIDUALS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS ATTORNtTS AT LAW tOOO FIRST COMMERCIAL SUILOINO 400 WEST CAPITOL WILLIAM M. OWirriN III, THOMAS N. MOSE, AA. MICHAEL S. MOORE OIANE S. MACKET. P.A. LITTLE ROCK. ARKANSAS 7t2Ol>3A93 Telephone 5Oi37e*2Oii Fax No. SOI-37S-2I47 September 6, 1991 WAODCLk. JR., CLYDE TAO" TURNER CALVIN J. MALL. P.A. SCOTT J. LANCASTER JERRY L. MALONE, P.A. M. OAYLE CORLEY, P.A. ROBERT O. BEACH. JR.. S. RANDOLPH LOONEY J. LEE BROWN H. CHARLES OSCMWENO. HARRY A. LIOMT SCOTT H. TUCKER JOHN CLAYTON RANDOLPH OUT ALTON WADE RRICE C. OARONER THOMAS F. MEEKS J. MICHAEL PICKENS TONIA P. JONES OAVID O. WILSON JEFFREY M. MOORE COUNIIl WILLIAM J. SMITH WILLIAM A. ELDREOOE. JR.. P. WILLIAM L. TERRY WILLIAM L. PATTON. JR.. P.A. omtcT HO. Hr. John Walker JOHN W. WALKER, 1723 Broadway Little Rock, AR P.A. 370-1506 Re: 72201 Committee Appointments Dear John: I have enclosed a memo from James Jennings concerning the appointment of representatives of the Joshua Intervenors to the Incentive School Program Parent Counsel and the LRSD Bi-Racial Committee. Please let me know as soon as you can who the Joshua representatives to these committees will be. Thank you for your cooperation. Yours _ye: tru Christopher Hfrller CJH/k Enc.TO: FROM: THROUGH: SUBJECT: LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas October 16, 1991 72201 C'ttke ow 1 6 W91 Ann Brown, Office of Desegregation Monitoring James Jennings, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation Monitoring and Community Services Dr. Ruth Steele, Superintendent of Schools Request for Information ci Oessgjeaa^ tionV.of'f'S Please find enclosed a copy of the May 21 memo concerning the selection process for the Biracial Advisory Committee. This information was requested by Polly Ramer. I have taken the liberty to include some additional information concerning this matter. Please let me know if you have any questions. cc: Chris Heller TO
Dr . Ruth Steele, Superintendent FROM : RE : RECEIVED MJR 3 0 1992 Little Rock School District Board of Directors Office of Desegregation Monnorirxj Little Rock School District Biracial Advisory Committee Incentive Schools In the Little Rock School District (LRSD) Desegregation Plan the Biracial Advisory Committee Is charged with the task of quarterly monitoring each Incentive School, (pp. 371 & 373) Incentive Schools have been called the most Important element of the LRSD Desegregation Plan (p. 260), and the Biracial Advisory Committee Is very concerned that" the plan for the Incentive Schools Is not being fully Implemented, I __ ' ' being changed, and Is not resulting In Improved student Is continually achievement. We are Impressed with the dedication of the teachers and administrators In the Incentive Schools. However, failure to Implement the entire Incentive School plan Is causing disappointment, frustration and low morale of staff members. The Biracial Advisory Commlitee has compiled thl outlining our concerns about the Incentive Schools. s report The report follows the format of the monitoring Instrument used to evaluate the Incentive Schools. Desegregation Plan.) (Page numbers refer to the LRSD 1 . STAFFING: A . B . C . D . E . More male teachers Better racial balance of support staff One Instructional aide per classroom (p. 297E) Supervisory aides for playground/cafeter1a (p. 298F) Fulltime 2 . F . H. students Full time Full time Assistant NOTE : social worker (p. 323) one per 250 counselor nurse (p . principal (p. 322) 304G) -- one per 250 students one per 250 students C thru H are aren't these staff (pp. 307 & 323) In the LRSD Desegregation Plan, members In each school? Why CURRICULUM: A . (pp. 265-294) B . Teachers are concerned about the many pull out programs which Interfere with classroom Instruction. Multicultural curriculum -- 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . visuals are good Infusion Into Instruction seems to be limited teachers often ask for more training on how to Implement the multicultural curriculum. the public should be more Informed about multicultural curriculum to allay misgivings misunderstandings. and3 . 4 . 5 , 6 . C . D . E . F . G . More hands on equipment is needed (p. 269) Special activities such as field trips seem to be available on a limited basis rather than as a supplement to enrich academics as specified In the LRSD Desegregation Plan (pp. 272 & 299) Very little evidence of peer tutoring (pp. 272 & 297C) Only one school has a science lab. equipment seen at other schools. Very little science (pp. 267 & 307) No evidence of foreign language program (p. 270) EXTENDED DAY: A . B. C. (Falls very short of Desegregation Plan) Needs more special skills offered (pp. 300 & 302) Bring In community people and programs, l.e. dance, karate, drama, etc. (p. 302) Programs are now based on talents of teachers In the schools but should be based on the variety of activities available In the community. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT: We are concerned that student achleve- ment Is not Improving and cite these factors as possibly contributing to the the lack of Improvement: A. B . C . D. E . F. Teacher/pup 11 ratio Is too large, originally set at 1/18, now 1/25 Is acceptable, (p. 322) Instructional aides (2 per 3 classrooms) have very little time In the classroom because they are being used as supervisory aides. They have only a minimum amount of training, (p. 297E) Larger classroom sizes Impede Individualized Instruction and cause more discipline problems Physical plant not stimulating Social problems (social worker will help) Too many pull-out programs Teachers express need for more training In different strategies to enhance achievement of diverse student populations. STAFF DEVELOPMENT: A . B . C . Bring In outside experts Offer professional training as Is being done for staff In the New Futures junior high schools. New teachers In the Incentive Schools need additional assistance and support. (p 378) PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: According to the Incentive School Plan (p. 263) "The specific details and concerns for each individual Incentive School must be developed by the local practltlone r s . The loca1 practitioners are the principals, teachers, parents and community representatives In each Incentive School District firmly believes that the success of area. The any program depends on the opportunity for the practitioners to make certain decisions at the local level." A . B. Very limited participation at most schools Need a full time social worker and a full time assistantC . D . principal to help ensure more who have been difficult to reach. participation by parents (p. 307) Very little evidence of small group meetings with parents at community sites. Need more Involvement of parents (p. 303) on school-based committees. (pp. 263, 305, 329) 7 . DISCIPLINE
A . Need alternative classroom with certified Instructor in each school. B . Need strong mentoring programs such retired teachers a s (pp. 271 & 279 D) prog ram C . Need smaller classes to allow more Individualized attention. D. More community based programs, l.e. Boy and (pp. 299 & 300) Irl Scouts. 8 . BUILDINGS AND CAMPUSES: A . Incentive Schools should have extensive renovation or be replaced with new buildings, with exception of Rockefeller. B . C . New buildings should be built in the same areas of the community and should be state-of-the-art facilities. Playgrounds should be Improved and we 11-equ1pped. of the present playgrounds are unsafe. Franklin, Ish, and Stephens) (Mitchell, Some According to the LRSD Desegregation Plan, "The purpose of the Incentive School program Is to promote and ensure academic excellence in schools that have been difficult to desegregate." (p. 260) Members of the Biracial Advisory committee are very concerned that the Incentive Schools are not accomplishing this purpose. If the Incentive Schools do not succeed, the LRSD Desegregation Plan will fail causing this district to continue spend large amounts of time and resources in court. t 0 The possibility also exists that the State will have to be repaid millions of dollars in desegregation money. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE STUDENTS IN THE INCENTIVE SCHOOLS WILL NOT HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES PROMISED BY THIS DISTRICT. c c : The Honorable Susan Weber-Wright Office of Desegregation Monitoring Joshua IntervenorsTO
FROM: SUBJECT
LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas April 2, 1992 72201 LRSD Biracial Advisory Conmittee James Jennings, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation Monitoring and Community Services Next Mooting and Report to LRSD Board of Directors Next Meeting The next meeting of the LRSD Biracial Advisory Committee will be hold on Tuesday, April 7, in the Employee Lounge of the Administration Building, Markham and Izard Streets. that we will not meet in the Board Room, Please note at 6 p.m. Our meeting will begin The Employee Lounge is located on the first floor of the Administration Building, are enclosed for your review. The minutes of the March 3 mooting Report to the LBSP Board of Directors In the past, special reports to the Board of Directors have always boon reviewed and approved by the full Biracial Committee prior to final submission. I was surprised to seo that this procedure was not followed on Thursday, March 26. The first time I saw the enclosed report to the Board was at the March 26 Board Meeting. to the members of the Committee. I was handed a copy and asked to send it Before I discuss the inaccuracies of the report, and the damage that has been caused by those inaccuracies, I would like to elaborate further on the procedure that was used. A. As you know, the enclosed report was not discussed at the March 3 meeting (seo minutes). B. At the March 3 meeting, I reported that we were in compliance with some of the same items listed in the March 26 report. My report was in response to concerns noted by the Joshua Intervenors. In summary, I reported on March 3 that we were in compliance with the items noted by the Joshua Intervenors
on March 26, you reported that we were not in compliance
and, no one approached mo between March 3 and March 26 topage two verify or discredit the report I gave at the March 3 meeting. C. I am unaware of an official mooting of the entire Biracial Committee hold after March 3, or even prior to March 3, to Furthermore, review and approve the March 26 report. I have not received a copy of the minutes of such a mooting. I do not know the results of a formal vote taken, prior to submission, to approve the March 26 report, if you had a quorum. I do not know My main concern is not related to whether or not I am My main concern is the need aware of all of your meetings. for the Committee to follow a process for collecting data, verifying data, and reporting your concerns to the Board and the public. This process should include a step where you verify your findings with the administration prior to the submission of your report to the Board and the public. This process does not take away your right to disagree with the administration's explanations. It doos, however, help you to ensure that your findings are accurate, and it demonstates good faith between the Conmittee and the District, past, we have always used this process. In the Five members of the Biracial Commitee did meet in the conference room of the Student Assignment Office on Thursday, March 20. I was not invited to this meeting and I was not informed about the nature of the meeting. I do not know if this meeting was related to the issue at hand. to this meeting is merely an attempt to determine who authored, verified, and approved the report. My reference It is inconceivable to think that a subcommittee would make such statements to the Board, the Court, and the public, and represent the full committee, without formal approval of the full committee. As you can see, the report is clearly intended to represent the position of the LRSD Biracial Advisory Committee - not a few members, an executive committee, etc. D. Copies of the report were made in my office on March 26. 1 secretary was not allowed to keep a copy of the report for My E. our files, practices. Again, this represented a departure from past This incident raises serious questions about the purpose of monitoring the incentive schools. If the full committee met and approved the March 26 report, then there was obviously a conscious attempt to delay the correction of the alleged problems until after the report had been submitted to the Board and the Court. Is there any record, including thepage throe quarterly monitoring reports, that the alleged violations were ever submitted to the administration for immediate action? action? Shouldn't effective monitoring employ immediate I would think that you would be anxious to let me know about such "flagrant" violations of the desegregation plan. Furthermore, it would strengthen your case to be able to say that you provided official notification to my office, in a timely manner, and I did not respond, responded to all of your monitoring reports. To date, I have To date, no one has shared any dissatisfaction with the accuracy, truthfulness, or completeness of my responses. laacgurftgjfla I will not spend much time talking about the inaccuracies in the March 26 report, speaks for itself. Board each month. past. My comments will be limited because the record I submit an update on desegregation to the You have received copies of this report in the The monthly reports thoroughly substantiate the existence of activities that you indicate have not been implemented, instance: For 1. Each incentive school has a scout troop for boys and girls. One of the girl scout troops served cookies to the Board last month. A representative of the Boy Scouts of America made a presentation to the Board about the troops in each incentive school at the beginning of the school year. 2. Meetings outside of the building - this month's update talks about a meeting held at Allison Presbyterian Church (March 1) for Ish, Rightsell, and Mitchell parents. Humphrey was the guest speaker. Judge Marion 3. Each incentive school has at least one science lab. Teachers were trained by Dennis Glasgow, the science supervisor. 4. Each incentive school has a full-time nurse. was corrected at the end of the first semester. This problem 5. Spanish is taught at each incentive school during extended day. 6. The Court granted a stay for the requirement of one aide in every classroom, the school year. Biracial Committee. The stay was granted at the beginning of This information was shared with the 7. Supervisory aides for playground/cafeteria are not requiredpage four by the desegregation plan. The language on page 298 con- earning supervisory aides is underlined because the District proposed this change in our May 1, 1991 submission to the Court. Court. To date, this change has not been approved by the 8. According to the plan, the assignment of an assistant principal depends on the population of the school. not violated the terms of the plan in this area. We have 9. We have not violated the terms of the plaui in regard to the number of counselors assigned to a building. The plan does not require a ratio of one counselor per 250 students. The plan does not give any guidelines for the number of students per counselor. 10. All schools do not have retired teachers as mentors because they have not been successful in recruiting retired teachers. mentors. We cannot force retired teachers to volunteer as As a result, we cannot be cited for non-compliance if individuals are unwilling to volunteer their time. All incentive schools, however, are participating in our main mentoring program. This program is exclusively for the incentive schools
it uses parents, patrons, and employees as mentors
and I have discussed it in at least two of my monthly reports to the Board, full operation. This program is in 11. We have not limited the number of field trips that a school can take. I supervise the budget for field trips. We have 12. ample funds still available for field trips. The plan requires pull-out programs. following on page 267: The plan states the "Specialized programs - Federally or state mandated programs (remedial, special education, gifted and talented) will be available during the core instructional day, with reinforcement activities available through the extended-day, week, or year programs," I acknowledge that we do not have a social worker in every incentive school, incentive schools. At present, we have one social worker in the We will work on this problem. Fortunately, I have no other acknowledgements to make. Recommendations vs. Requirements Your report begins with a clear declaration that the District has "failed" to implement the "entire Incentive School Plan." Thepage five report, however, mixes alleged plan violations and your recommendations all under the category of "concerns." The purpose of monitoring is to ensxire compliance with the court- approved desegregation plan. choose to "advise It The Biracial Comnittee may also welcome yoxir recommendations. or make recommendations to the District. We In this report, however, you begin by charging the District with failure to implement the plan
you refer to this report as an outline of your concerns (related to implementation)
you list alleged plan violations and recommendations
and you make no distinction between "alleged plan violations It and "Committee recommendations." is the potential for the uninformed reader to view a "recommendation" as a violation of the plan. The end result Some of the "recommendations It are listed below. imply that the District concurs or disagrees with your I do not mean to recommendations. The simple fact is that the District cannot be cited for not complying with a "recommendation." Furthermore, the District cannot even respond to a recommendation that has not been submitted. 1. One counselor per 250 students 2. One nurse per 250 students 3. An assistant principal in eveiry incentive school - regardless of the school population. 4. Incentive schools should have extensive renovation or be replaced with new buildings. I am willing to discuss any of these issues at our next meeting. What is at stake here is the credibility of the LRSD Office of Desegregation and the incentive school principals versus the credibility of the LRSD Biracial Advisory Committee. party is wrong, the children in the incentive schools will suffer - again. If either In closing, please be reminded that the Biracial Committee appointed a subcommittee last school year to revise the monitoring instrument, member, Brenda Donald. The subcommittee was chaired by a former The subcommittee was careful to ensure that the new instrument actually monitored compliance with the incentive school plan. The new, or revised, instrument was delivered to the full committee in advance of a regular meeting. The full committee reviewed and approved the changes. was present. A quorum Many of the concerns listed in your March 26 report are not included in any of your monitoring reports. What is the purpose of your revised monitoring instrument if you now have different process for identifying and reporting concerns? a Whatpage six is the purpose of your monitoring reports if they do not reflect all of your concerns? Finally, if you identified the concerns listed in your March 26 report doing your monitoring visits, did you share them with the building principal diiring the exit conference? I cc: Dr. Ruth Steele Tony Wood Chris Heller Arma Hart Catherine Gill Sterling Ingram1. 2. 3. LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT BIRACIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Call to order - March 3, 1992 Regular Meeting the neeting was called to order by Chair, Bennie S*ith on March 3, 1992 at 6:15 p.m. after a 30 winute discussion with Dr. Ruth Steele. The following were present: Carla Bobo Terrie Root Milton Carrol1 Jim Mitchell Bennie H. Smith Larry Davis Roy Johnson Robert Andri Bob Jones Larry Mabry Mary Swift Dee Ball Others Present: Kirke Herman, Joshua James Jennings Arma Hart Ruthie Gentry Reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Shelley Robinson and Deborah Beuerman called in their absences. The February 4, 1992 minutes were approved. Mr. Kirke Herman, Joshua Intervenors spoke to the Committee about monitoring incentive schools: Curriculum - Spanish & Latin Monitoring procedure Double funding Extended day-participation and curriculum Recruiting - not working Discipline In-service about learning style and cultural expressions Morale of teachers and staff Concern with incentive school to be in compliance with the 2plan - Alternative certification for teachers available Stephens location - Discussion about the poor facilities at incentive schools - Joshua will sand their report to this committee James Jennings stated the district is in compliance with the desegregation plan regarding the items discussed by Mr. Herman. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Monitoring teaae will be restructured. Written reports fro local Bi-racial Committee . Are we going to make comments to the Court and to the Board? The only reports they get are our monitoring reports. Next meeting will have a guest about discipline rates. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Dee Ball 3TO
Dr. Ruth Steele, Superintendent Little Rock School District Board of Directors FROM
Little Rock School District Biracial Advisory Coaelttee tZ: locantlva Schools In the Little Rock School District (LRSD) Desegregation Plan the Biracial Advisory Coaalttee Is charged with the task of quarterly aonltorlog each Incentive School. (pp. 371 & 373) Incentive Schools have been called the aost laportant eleaent of the LRSD Desegregation Plan (p. 260), and the Biracial Advisory Coaalttee Is very concerned that the plan for the Incentive Schools Is not being fully laplanented, Is continually being changed, and Is not resulting In laproved student achieveaent. We are lapressed with the dedication of the teachers and adalnlstrators In the Incentive Schools. However, failure to lapleaent the entire Incentive School plan Is csuslng dIssppolntaent, frustration and low aorale of staff aeabers. The Biracial Advisory Coaalttee has coaplled this report outlining our concerns about the Incentive Schools. The report follows the foraat of the aonltorlng Instruaent used to evalusta the Incentive Schools. Desegregstlon Plsn.) (Psge nuabars refer to the LRSD 1. STAPPING: A. B. C. D. E. F. G . H. More aale teachers Better racial balance of support staff One Instructional aide per classrooa (p. 297E) Supervisory aides for playground/cafeterla (p. 298F) Full tine social worker (p. 323) -- one per 250 students Full tlae counselor (p. 322) one per 250 students Full time nurse (p. 304G) Assistant principal (pp. 307 & 323) one per 250 students NOTE: C thru H are in the LRSD Desegregation Plan. aren't these staff aeabers in each school? Why 2. CURRICULUM: A. (pp. 265-294) B. Teachers are concerned about the aany pull out prograas which Interfere with classrooa instruction. Multicultural currlculua -- 1 . 2 . 3. 4 . visuals are good Infusion into instruction seeas to be limited teachers often ask for sore training on how to implement the multicultural curriculum, the public should be more Informed about multicultural curriculum to allay misgivings and alsunderstandlngs.3. 4 . 5 . 6 . C. D. E. F. C . Hore hands on equipment is needed (p. 269) Special activities such as field trips seen to be available on a United basis rather than as a supplement to enrich acadenlcs as specified in the LRSD Desegregation Plan (pp. 272 A 299) Vary little evidence of peer tutoring (pp> 272 A 297C) Only one school has a science lab. Very little science (pp. 267 & 307) equlpnent aeen at other schools. No evidence of foreign language progran (p. 270) EXTENDED DAT: A. B. C. (Falla very short of Desegregation Plan) Naada aore special skills offered (pp. 300 & 302) Bring in coaaunlty people and prograas, i.a. dance, karate, draaa, etc. (p. 302) Prograaa arc now based on talents of teachers in the schools bnt should be based on the variety of ectlvitles available in the coaaunlty. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT: Ve are concerned that student achleve- aent is not laproving and cite these factors as possibly contributing to the the lack of laproveaent: A. B. C. D. E. F. G . Teacher/pupil ratio is too large, originally set at 1/18, now 1/25 is acceptable, (p. 322) Instructional aides (2 per 3 classrooas) have very little tine in the classrooa because they are being used as supervisory aides. They have only a alnlaua aaount of training, (p. 297E) Larger classrooa sizes lapede individualized instruction and cause aore discipline problens Physicel plant not stlnulating Social problena -- (social worker will help) Too aany pull-out prograas Teachers express need for aore training In different strategies to enhance achleveaent of diverse student populations. STAFF DEVELOPMENT: A. B . C. Bring in outside experts Offer professional training as is being done for staff in the New Futures junior high schools. New teachers in the Incentive Schools need additional assistance and support. (p 378) PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: According to the Incentive School Plan (p. 263) "The specific details and concerns for each Individual Incentive School oust be developed by the local practitioners. The local practitioners are the principals, teachers, parents and coaaunlty representatives In each Incentive School area. District flraly believes that the success of any prograa depends on the opportunity for the practitioners to aake certain decisions at the local level." The A. B. Very Halted participation at most schools Need a full tlae aoclal worker and a full tlae aaslstantC . D. 7 . 8 . principal to help ensure more participation by parents who have been difficult to reach. (p. 307) Very little evidence of small group meetings with parents at community sites. (p. 303) Need more Involvement of parents on school-*based committees. DISCIPLINE: A. B. C. D. (pp. 263, 305, 329) Naad alternative classroom with certified instructor In each school. Need strong mentoring programs such ss retired teachers program (pp. 271 & 279D) Need smaller classes to allow more individualized attention. Nora community based programs, l.e. Boy and Girl Scouts, (pp. 299 & 300) BOILDINGS AND CAMPUSES: A. B . C. Incentive Schools should have extensive renovation or be replaced with new buildings, with exception of Rockefeller. New buildings should be built In the same areas of the community and should be state-of-the-art facilities. Playgrounds should be improved and well-equipped. Some of the present playgrounds are unsafe. Pranklin, Ish, and Stephens) (Mitchell, According to the LRSD Desegregation Plan, "The purpose of the Incentive School progrsm is to promote and ensure academic excellence in schools that have been difficult to desegregate. (p. 260) Members of the Biracial Advisory committee are very concerned that the Incentive Schools are not accomplishing this purpose. If the Incentive Schools do not succeed, the LRSD Desegregation Plan will fail causing this district to continue to spend large amounts of time and resources In court. The possibility also exists that the State will have to be repaid millions of dollars In desegregation money. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE STUDENTS IN THE INCENTIVE SCHOOLS WILL NOT HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES PROMISED BY THIS DISTRICT. cc: The Honorable Susan Ueber-Wrlght Office of Desegregation Monitoring Joshua IntervenorsLittle Rock School District April 7, 1992 TO: James Jennings, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation Monitoring and Community Services FROM: Arma J. Hart, Desegregation Facilitator SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO BIRACIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Submitted for your review is a response to the District Biracial Advisory Committee Report. See attachments to the report. 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)374-3361 RESPONSES TO BIRACIAL COMMITTEE REPORT We are appreciative of the efforts of the biracial committee and its important charge of monitoring the Incentive School Section of the Settlement Plan. In order to ensure that accurate and adequate information is supplied to help facilitate written reports to the superintendent, board and court, there is an urgent need to keep you informed through both oral and written desegregation updates during your scheduled, monthly meetings, a continuing basis. on Since this is the first year that the settlement plan has been approved by the court, good faith efforts have been made in terms of providing an understanding and a thorough awareness of the plan components to principals, teachers and parents. Attached for your review is a checklist that was provided to all the principals in the Incentive Schools in September to use as a means to review requirements that need to be implemented in the Settlement Plan. During monthly desegregation meetings and in written correspondence, settlement plan requirements are derived to ensure that we are complying in a timely manner with program implementation. Principals inform patrons about the program offerings and activities in the Incentive Schools through PTA meetings and newsletters. Some program materials and equipment are ordered on either the district or building level. development. The same is true for staff level. Rarely are manipulatives ordered on the district The responsibility for selection of supplies, types and number of field trips is left to the discretion and prudent budget management of the principal in charge of the school. The Volunteers in Public Schools Office assists in scheduling field trips to Toltec Mounds, Museum of National History, Ballet Arkansas, etc. taken by schools. Office. Attached is a list of some of the field trips This information is on file in the VIPs Responses to specific items cited will follow the same format used in the Biracial Committee Report. 1. STAFFING A. More Male Teachers. . We are in agreement, and national problem. This concern is both a state According to national reports. male teachers are even scarcer in Elementary than in Secondary Schools. The real problem lies in the fact that fewer men enter Elementary Education in college. The problem is even more prevelant in primary grades. Male teachers are sought after and valued as role models for African-American male students. The teacher recruiter for the LRSD and the building principals are aware of this need and work toward that end.Page 2 B. Better Racial Balance of Support staff. . Principals and the Department of Human Resources are cognizant of this need and do maintain fair hiring practices
however, the number of black applicants is much greater in the pool of interested persons. This results in a larger percentage of one race hired over another. White applicants are considered by the principal for custodians and aides when these positions become available. C. One Instructional Aide Per Classroom. . This matter is under the consideration of the court. No ruling has been made at this time. D. Supervising Aides for Playground/Cafeteria. . The court does not require the District to hire supervision aides (See Court Order). The pending Court ruling regarding instructional aides (1 per classroom), may eventually require the hiring of supervision aides. All schools have aides supervising students on the playground. training for aides was provided on Monday, Cluster February 10 and on Monday, February 17, 1992. E. Full Time Social Worker. . Social workers will be recruited. Teachers and counselors work with students on a daily basis and do home visits as needed. (Social workers are not required according to State standards for any school in Arkansas.) F. Full Time Counselor. . The District is in compliance. The Arkansas Department of Education requires that every school have a full time counselor. The Incentive Schools exceed both NCA and State standards. G. Full Time Nurse. . The District is in compliance. Gwen Efird, the Director of Nurses, was instructed to hire a full time nurse to meet the special needs of children in each Incentive School.Page 3 H. Assistant Principal. . The plan does require this position to be filled in all schools, this issue. However, the court has not ruled on (NCA requires a full time principal plus a half-time assistant principal or the equivalency for 600 to 800 or more students). Due to the small enrollment in most of our Incentive Schools, only Franklin and Rockefeller have assistant principals. 2. CURRICULUM A. Teachers are concerned about the many pull-out programs which interfere with classroom instruction. . The District is not out of compliance. The plan specifies that..."Federally or state mandated programs (remedial, special education, gifted and talented) will be available through the instructional day, with reinforcement activities available through the extended day, week, or year programs." The State and NCA standards require that music and P.E. are taught to every child. Since Extended Day attendance is optional and certain skills are specified in the plan to be taught on given days, some students would miss out on these requirements. Other alternatives that will restrict pull-outs can be explored to better meet the needs of children. B. Multicultural Curriculum 2. Infusion into instruction seems to be limited. . If followed according to the guidelines set forth by the Social Studies Department, multicultural education should be infused into the various subject areas at each school. 3. Teachers often ask for more training on how to implement the multicultural curriculum. . District and/or building training in this area is on-going. Principals can request training at the building level from the Social Studies Department.Page 4 The program director, Marie McNeal, is available to assist staffs if either she or the principal identifies the need for immediate training for particular teachers or the entire building. Teachers are requested to help identify the staff development needs in every building. District and building level training is based on this information. Brady Scott, Coordinator of the Equity Assistance Center in San Antonio, Texas, has provided additional technical assistance and training for staff and regarding at-risk students in a multicultural setting. 4. The public should be more informed about multicultural curriculum to allay misgivings and misunderstandings. . The suggestion is an excellent one that is already being explored. Area community Meetings in churches, on cable TV, and other options are planned. It appears that there is a need to continually inform and update the community about what is being taught in the schools. C. More Hands on equipment is Needed. . Principals determine with staff input their building equipment needs, as inadequate at this time. None have been reported Each building has an individual school budget with a line item for ordering equipment. D. Field Trips. . The District is in compliance. As specified in the settlement plan, field trips enhance learning, broaden cultural activities, provide experiences and assist in the development of coping skills. Each staff determines what. where and when they will take field trips. According to the field trip data, many trips have been taken this year, locally and some out of the state. These were determined by the needs and interest at the building level by the principal and staff.Page 5 Very little evidence of peer tutoring. . Most peer tutoring goes on in Extended Day. During the day, the remedial, regular and enriched needs of each child are being met. Therefore, peer tutoring is done on a limited basis and varies from classroom to classroom. F. Only one school has a science lab. equipment, some at other schools. Very little science . The same amount of science lab equipment was ordered for each school in grades 3-6 by Dennis Glasgow, the Science Director. Due to the lack of space, science labs are placed in the science teachers classrooms. departmentalized in grades 3-6. Each school is semiPrincipals order aquariums, magnets, animals, and other equipment to supplement the labs and/or the science curriculum on other grade levels. Inservice training on how to use the science equipment and materials to be ordered was conducted on November 11, 1991 for 4-6 grade teachers and principals by Dennis Glasgow. E. G. No Evidence of Foreign Language Programs. 3. . Spanish is taught during Extended Day through the use of AETN. Programs in extended day are built around students that participate and selection of subjects. trained
Teachers and principals have been tapes and curriculum guides were ordered for all the schools in the fall. Teacher Recruitment Coordinator, Robert Robinson, has advertised for Spanish teachers to be hired in the programs. As part of the curriculum realignment, Spanish will be taught by trained Spanish teachers. EXTENDED DAY A. Needs more special skills offered. . A survey listing the broad skill offerings was generated by staff and the principal at each school. Students selected choices of programs and/or activities from the surveys in September. The student choices primarily formed the basis for the program offerings in the Extended Day. Classes were offered for the number of children who chose to attend. The principal and staff have the flexibility to decide program revisions, additions, or deletions at the end of each reporting period, semester or when necessary.Page 6 B. Bring in community people and programs, i.e., dance, karate, drama, etc. 4 . C. . Community people are sought after by VIPS, Coordinator of Incentive School Services, and the Desegregation office. Personnel from UALR has been employed by the District to assist the Incentive School dance teachers with a dance program. personnel from UALR have assisted teachers with gymnastics. Experienced, certified band and Also, string teachers from other schools in the District teach interested students band and string lessons approximately two and a half hours every Saturday. Earnest Lamb, string teacher, is a member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Carwin Pleasant, band teacher, is a band/orchestra teacher at Sooker Magnet and a professional musician who teaches band to our students. Staff persons from the Art Center, and other volunteers are contacted by designated persons in each school or by request through VIPs to assist with various activities. A recent article featuring Curtis Tate working with our students at Mitchell appeared in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. We will continue to bring community people into the schools as we strive to work around their jobs and scheduled activities. Programs are now based on talents of teachers in the schools but should be based on the variety of activities available in the community. . Teachers select their areas of interest, but volunteers are placed according to their profession. We have found that some teachers are skilled in several areas and offer successful opportunities for our students. Again, VIPS Office assists greatly with resource personnel for the various extended day options. A list of resource persons invited to the schools is available in the VIPs Office. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT: We are concerned that student achieve- ment is not improving and cite these factors as possibly contributing to the lack of improvement. A. G. (This section is not being answered on an itemized basis as most of them have been addressed in other areas of this response)Page 7 . The school board, administrators, teachers, and parents have the primary responsibility and concern for seeing that our students receive an adequate education that will prepare them to meet the challenge of the future. Our principals and teachers are in the schools on a daily basis, are many factors that could prohibit a child groups of children from improving academically. There or It is not clear if any or all of the problems enumerated by some members on the biracial committee have had adverse effect on students to the extent that they an 5 . are not improving in Incentive Schools
nor is there any data to indicate that our students are not improving . What achievement data or test information is being used to make this comparative analysis? Especially since no achievement test scores or MPT scores are available for comparison. Principals in each school are charged with the responsibility to monitor students progress on a regular basis. The Assistant Superintendent in charge of the schools monitor the academic progress of each school to determine the progress each child is making. STAFF DEVELOPMENT A. Bring in outside experts. . Staff development is an on-going process. Consul- tants from out-of-state have been brought in to assist in training teachers and principals. We are fortunate to have an outstanding Staff Development Department with personnel who have attended out-of-state meetings and are experts in many areas. They have recently conducted the Effective Schools Program in the Incentive Schools. C. New teachers in the Incentive Schools need additional assistance and support. . Paula Grier, from the Staff Development Department, has been hired to do training full time with teachers who need help in the Incentive Schools.Page 8 6 . PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT According to the Incentive School Plan (p. 263) "The specific details and concerns for each individual Incentive School must be developed by the local practitioners. The local practicitioners are the principals, teachers, parents and community representatives in each Incentive School area. The District firmly believes that the success of any program depends on the opportunity for the practitioners to make certain decisions at the local level." 7. . The District has hired a Coordinator of Incentive Schools Services who is responsible for assisting principals to involve parents and the community in the schools. Parent workshops, lunches, and breakfast meetings in churches, schools and businesses that feature outstanding community people as speakers, are some of the ways that we have attempted to get parents involved in the schools. Some parents have not chosen to take advantage of these opportunities due to personal or economic reasons. Programs that feature children have proven to be the most successful in getting parents out. Parent Meetings is attached for your perusal. A copy of the DISCIPLINE A. Need alternative classroom with certified instructor in each school. . Time-Out and Social Skills training has been provided for principals, teachers and aides as an alternative to putting students out of class and out of the school setting. the training is attached.) (A copy of the materials used in Inadequate space prohibits an alternative room in 3 of our school buildings. An alternative space is provided when an emergency arises that requires a student to be given time out. Emphasis is placed on accentuating and rewarding positive behavior, identifying problems before they get out of hand scheduling parent conferences and sessions with the counselor, principal or nurse--rather than putting students out of the regular classroom. Rooms in some buildings are now staffed by designated personnel who work closely with the principal for part of the day. The alternative room is a last step measure that is used to keep a student in school. Many children need to be taught the necessary social skills to make them succeed in the classroom and on the playground.Page 9 B. Need strong mentoring programs such as retired teachers program. . A well developed mentoring program is in operation in our schools that was developed by Debbie Milan, Director of the Volunteers in Public School office. Retired teachers have been contacted to work in the schools with our many children who need a mentor. Recruitment and advertising in businesses, churches, educational facilities, and at Park Plaza Mall has resulted in much community involvement in our schools. Approximately 2,000 flyers were mailed to the community about the Mentoring Program. Over 150 personal letters were mailed to friends of the Little Rock School District personnel. A total of 500 Recruitment Cards were printed and issued at a basketball game and other functions. On April 7, Debbie Milam will speak at the Little Rock Rotary Club about the Mentor's Program, of the Mentoring Program. Attached is a copy We hope to continue adding to the list of mentors each year. Retired teachers and any interested persons are encouraged and needed to assist in this effort. C. Need smaller classes to allow more individualized attention. 8. . The court will make a ruling regarding the number of students that each Incentive School class can maintain. In comparison to the other area and magnet schools that African-American students attend, the enrollment is smaller for the Incentive Schools. ' average range of class size is 18 The 23 . Most schools have only a few classes with 25 students
some have none. BUILDINGS AND CAMPUSES A. Incentive Schools should have extensive renovation or be replaced with new buildings, with exception of Rockefeller. . Extensive renovation began at the Enhancement (Incentive Schools) in August of the 1988 school year and is continuing in 1991-92 with a total cost by schools, following on next page of this report:Page lo Franklin Garland Ish Mitchell Rightsell Rockefeller Stephens Total Cost $1,220,680 367,096 95,086 212,478 191,253 137,409 61,502 $2,285,504 C. (See Enhancement School Project Summary.) The following additions/changes have been completed or are scheduled to be completed during the 1991-92 school year for the following schools: Garland Ish Stephens New outside lighting New Roof (summer of 1992) New carpet in building and office Work orders should be turned in to the Maintenance Department by the principal when- ever a problem exists. If problems are not addressed in a timely manner, the Assistant Superintendent in charge of that school should be notified. Playgrounds should be improved and well-equipped. Some of the present playgrounds are unsafe. (Mitchell, Franklin, Ish, and Stephens). . We agree that playground equipment should be maintained. The Plant Services Department has been requested to visit each of the 4 schools named in your report and determine, in consultation with principals, what problems exist. Office of Desegregation will do follow- up visits to those schools and report the findings.OFFICE OF DESEGREGATION MONITORING 201 EAST MARKHAM, SUITE 510 HERITAGE WEST BUILDING LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201 TO: FROM: DATE: RE: James Jennings Horace Smith and Connie Hickman April 20, 1992 Request for Districtwide Biracial Committee information In order to better understand the functioning and effectively monitor the performance of the Districtwide Biracial Committee, we will require the following information. The request is organized according to the categories identified in the monitoring guide you received. We realize that this is a very busy time of year, and it is not our intention to burden you further. However, we would like for the following information to be submitted to our office by April 29, 1992. We will call you on April 22, 1992 to answer any questions you may have regarding this request. Thank you for your cooperation. Recruitment Committee job descriptions Copy of committee member selection criteria List of individuals involved in the member recruitment process Written description of the recruitment process Committee Composition Current membership roster with information on race, gender, geographic area, address, and home and work phone numbers Schedule of committee meetings * Biracial committee meeting agenda, minutes/attendance record List of participants in monitoring visits Written yearly goals and objectives, policies and procedures Organizational chart Orientation and Training Copy of the orientation packet provided for new committee members Agenda for orientation session * * Schedule of orientation/trainings including time, location, and number of members attending Descriptions of training provided for the committee (goals/objectives, agendas, handouts, presenters, evaluations)Monitoring Process Monitoring instrument * Schedule of monitoring visits Flow chart describing the process by which the committee receives, assimilates, and reports along with corrective action identified and taken by the district Reporting Process * Schedule of reporting periods * Individual incentive school reports from all quarterly visits, along with principals responses * Quarterly Incentive School Reports (We have received the First Quarter Report for the 1991-92 school year.) Support and Recognition List of resources provided to the committee List of methods of appreciation and schedule of recognition events for committee members Plan Provisions List of Biracial Committee members serving on the Biracial Advisory Committee which serves as the steering committee for incentive school recruitment Identify ex-officio members with marketing/ advertising background serving on the Advisory Committee * Bi-monthly recruitment reports submitted by the Office of Desegregation * Indicates information which should be submitted as generated.PCSSD PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 1500 Dixon Road/P.O. Box 8601 Little Rock, Arkansas 72216 (501) 490-2000 DATE: April 29, 1992 TO: Mr. Horace Smith and Ms. Connie Hickman, Office of Desegregation Monitoring 1. I FROM:/a'i, Billy J. Bowles, Assistant Superintendent for Desegregation SUBJECT: District Biracial Committee Information In response to your memo dated April 20, 1992 the following information is submitted for your review: Recruitment 1. 2. 3. The Committee's job description is outlined in Attachment 1. Members for the District Biracial Planning and Steering Committee are recruited by the Pulaski County Special School District School Board of Education, the Office of Desegregation, and the local school principals. PCSSD does not have a written description of the recruitment process. Members are solicited by the process described above and appointed to the Committee on the basis of area, race and gender. This committee also serves as the District's Planning and Steering Committee in compliance with Act 7 of the 1983 Arkansas Legislature. Committee Composition Attachments 2,3,4,5. PCSSD does not have an organizational chart that includes the District Biracial Planning and Steering Committee. Orientation and Training See Attachments 6,7,8 Monitoring Process 1. The District Biracial Planning and Steering Committee conducts a review and analysis of the local schools' first and second semester visits made by the monitoring teams. (Attachment 9) The Committee schedules a followup visit when there is a serious concern. Attachment 11 is the Monitoring Instrument that is then completed by the District Biracial Planning and Steering Committee. The Committee's report is submitted to the Board of Education at a regular Board meeting in the spring of each year. Memo to Mr. Horace Smith and Ms. Connie Hickman April 29, 1992 Page 2 2. The process by which the Committee receives, assimilates and reports is not done in a flow chart format. Reporting Process The District Biracial Planning and Steering Committee submits a yearly report to the Board of Education. Other reports are given, upon request, by either the Board of Education or the Office of Desegregation. (Attachments 10,11) Support and Recognition 1. 2. 1. 2. ch c The Qtiaianan i Tb<^s^dent^i meefirig~eacn y The District Biracial Planning and Steering Committee is provided sources of information through various means. Teachers and administrators provide periodicals, reports of current and future desegregation issues and informational materials. Community resource people are also invited to share information about desegregation issues. -I-. u jg with a plaque at the final meeting each year. Ire presented a certificate of appreciation. The last year is an appreciation dinner meeting. Plan Provisions Any recommendations are reflected in the District Biracial Planning and Steering Committee's minutes. (Attachment 4) Parent/Student Survey (Attachment 12) Mr. Bobby G. Lester Mrs. Ann Brown Attachments11/J6/92 20:11 0301 324 2032 L R School Dlst ODM 001/003 5 <53 L, ft Little Rock School District NEWS RELEASE Current Direction of LRSD Biracial Committee on Target with ODM Findings November 16,1992 For more information, contact Dianne G. Woodruff, 324-2020 The findings presented on the Little Rock School District Biracial Committee contained in the "1991-92 Monitoring Report on The Biracial CommittRfis" filed today with federal District Judge Susan Webber Wright by the Office of Desegregation Monitoring confirm that the LRSD committee's direction is on target, according to Dr. Mac Bernd, LRSD superintendent n' 'I firmly believe that the information in this report, which looks at how the committee performed during the 1991-92 school year, shows that the activities of the committee this .year are on target and are exactly where we need to be working toward a logical, systematic progression of implementing the elements of our desegregation plan," Bernd said. "Any report that is covering activity that is a year or so old will be somewhat behind where the organization is now. Therefore, in many areas, we have set about working with the committee on exactly e kinds of improvements that are recommended in the report At the same time, there are several areas where we have yet to make the kind of effort that is required by the plan but we're committed to seeing that this does occur," Bernd added. -more-20^ L R School Dlst ODM 002/003 Page 2 L^D News Release Biracial Committee For example, Bernd said, in the area of the composition of our committee, the Biracial Committee has begun to develop a mattix to identify exactly what characteristics of membership, either by race, gender or geographical location of residence, are presently represented, A recruitment plan to fill the open positions based on what is detailed in the matrix win follow. This entails working with members of the committee, school-based biracial committees and the school PTAs, among others, Bernd said. Four new members have been recommended by the Joshua intervenors. Those nominees and others are expected to be presented to the LRSD Board of Directors at its December meeting for confirmation. While members of the Biracial Committee this year received special training to prepare them more fuUy for the monitoring process from the District's Plannings Research and Evaluation Section, Bernd acknowledged that more can and will be done in the area of training and orientation for committee members. Committee members have participated in two Saturday retreats and established goals and objectives for the year, including a calendar of events scheduling the things the Biracial Committee and its several subcommittees will undertake. Each subcommittee has established its own goals. Several subcommittees have already reported their progress to the entire committee. The notation in the report that the role of the Biracial Committee as an advisory group to incentive school recruiting efforts has not been adequately pursued by the District is well taken, Bernd said. "We presently are working to bring the Biracial Committep. and -more-11 16/92 20:12 501 324 2032 L R School Dlst 4^^ ODM 121003/003 Page 3 L^p News Release Biracial Committee incentive recruiting into the larger ftanrework of cn,p,ehesive recruitbg ia d>e Disrtct, he saii -iha. connrJnee can he a valuable intend to overlook it any longer. We asset to us in this area. We do not will be practical and timely." want to create a system where the committee's role As to the finding that the District's school elements of the desegregation plan, such monitoring report form fails to include the committee has chosen to keep the as areport on lecniiting, Bernd explained that developed a checklist of indicators present monitoring instrument but has already to help them better document and focus their observations. It wiU be changed, however. as said. we refine and better assess needs, Bernd -30-Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501) 376-6200 Fax (501) 371-0100 November 16, 1992 Shirley J. Thomas, Biracial Committee Chair 1912 Green Mountain Drive, #335-B Little Rock, AR 72212 Dear Shirley
I am happy to share the enclosed 1991-92 Monitoring Report on the Biracial Committees with you and your fellow Biracial Committee members. The Office of Desegregation Monitoring (ODM) filed this report with the District Court today and also furnished copies to the three Pulaski County school districts. My associates and I sincerely thank you and your committee colleagues for having helped make this report possible. Your cooperation in talking with us, sharing materials, and answering our questionnaire were all invaluable as we gathered the information we needed. We hope youll find that our assessment of the Biracial Committees, and their relationship to the districts and the desegregation process, is both comprehensive and accurate. We also hope that it provides some useful insights and suggestions. Any comments you and your committee may have about this report will be most welcome, and 1 would be pleased to hear from you. Your job as biracial committee members is a very important part of meeting the enormous challenges facing our school districts. Thank you for all the ways you are working to improve the lives of our children. Very truly yours, Ann S. Brown LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT Biracial Committee hi \ I MAY - .
J3 April 6, 1993 In_ I MINUTES Members Present: 1. 2. 3 . 4. 5 . 6. 7 . 8 . 9. Jim Mitchell Steve Meeker Bennie Smith Kenyon Lowe Carla Bobo Catherine Gill, LRSD Marie Parker, LRSD Terri Root Milton Carroll Dr. Bernd was not able to attend the meeting due to a conflict in schedule. How many vacancies (principal) are there for the 1993-94 school year? Chairperson, Shirley Thomas, was unable to attend the meeting due to a death in the family. Terri Root presided over the meeting. The Chair had called in issues that needed to be discussed at the meeting. Steve Meeker reported on the relationship between the PCSSD and LRSD. PCSSD. The discussion was on whether they should meet with the 1.5 there any tiling in the Plan? The Committee remarked they had not received minutes in the last two months. Marie will see to the members getting the minutes. SEE SHIRLEY'S NOTES FOR A LIST OF THE ISSUES DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING!! Comments from Bennie Smith regarding the Art Show, the members of the committee support the program. He asked that 501 Sherman Street, Little Rock Arkansas 72202, (501)324-2272. April Biracial Minutes Page -2- Terri reviewed businesses and others. She is the PR representative for the Art Show. She read a list of potential supporters and ask if members had additional suggestions to add to her list. Members gave several other suggestions. Marie provided a status report King attendance zone. on Stephens site selection and There was not a quorum so no action could be taken. Recommendations by Mr. Smith: 1. 2. Next month meeting be focused on the last monitoing visit. That someone call the chair , and ask her to call to ensure there is a quorum so that visits can be planned, chairman of the membership will call all members. The 4. Program that generates the magnet selection. Ask Mr. Ingram if he would meet with the Committee at meeting. next Terrie has articles she would like to address with the superintendent and the members. Articles were shared. Meeting adjourned. 3 . 5 .l' Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)376-6200 Fax (501) 371-0100 Date: November 15, 1993 To: Arma Hart From: Connie Hickman Tanner Subject: Biracial Committee Monitoring Thank you for your call concerning the Biracial Committees monitoring. As you know, ODM published the 1991-92 Monitoring Report on the Biracial Committees on November 16,1992. In that report ODM monitors concluded that although the monitoring instruments used by all three districts addressed general areas of the desegregation plan, they did not relate to specific plan provisions. As a result, these instruments made it difficult for the districts to effectively monitor the implementation of their desegregation plans. The monitors recommended that the districts "Design monitoring instruments that correlate specifically with the desegregation plan provisions so each district can measure its progress in plan implementation" (ODM Biracial Committee Report, page 28). I have also had many discussions regarding the biracial committees monitoring instrument with LRSD administrators and members of the Biracial Committee. During those discussions, I continued to urge the district to develop a monitoring guide that reflected specific plan provisions. A plan-specific guide would assist the Biracial Committee in monitoring the districts plan implementation progress, evaluating areas that are working, and identifying plan provisions that may need to be changed. Monitors have offered the ODM Incentive School Monitoring Guide simply as an example, showing how a guide could be developed that reflects the districts obligations. I have had several calls about using ODMs Incentive School Monitoring Guide and seeking what appeared to be legal advice. I have repeatedly stated that legal advice needed to be sought from the districts counsel and I have referred to the language in LRSDs plan and described the process outlined for modification, if the district should choose such action. It is good to hear that the biracial committee is linking their monitoring instrument to the plan. As stated before, ODMs Incentive School Monitoring Guide is one example of how to link a monitoring instrument to plan and court directives. The recent plan audit is another way to identify the districts legal obligations. Enclosed are the relevant plan provisions that I have discussed with you, Steve Meeker, and Sterling Ingram. I encourage you to consider the plans language as you make your decisions with the biracial committee, LRSD personnel, and the districts attorneys. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 376-6200. LRSD DESEGREGATION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE AREA
School Operations Goal I
To ensure an organizational structure which provides equity of opportunity and of access. Objectives Strategies/Activities lieginning Date Ending Date Kes|x>nsibility Evaluation I. To review organizational structure in schools and central office to ensure sufficient support for students and staff success and for implementation of the desegregation plan. 1.1 12 1.3 2. To provide inservice to raise staff awareness/ expectations of equity concerns for students. 2.1 3. To provide programs wliich raise parental awareness of district structure, policy and programs and ways to access them. 3.1 4. Appoint school based biracial committees to monitor implementation and data. A districtwide biracial committee will monitor districtwide desegregation efforts and data. Establish a reporting system. Inservice cycles for existing and new staff including: a. b. c. d. teacher expectations working with parents at-risk youth learning styles Mini-seminars at PTA meetings and in the community. June-July Annually June Annually August Annually June Annually Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Principals Associate Supt Associate Supt of Educational Programs Associate Supt of Desegregation Assistant Supts Appropriate Assoc Supts and Staff of District Slate Dept of Education District Staff PTA Council (local and area) Survey of staff and patrons Report of the biracial committees Roster of teachers/ participating staff Data based improvement in targeted student schools Calendar showing programs held Rosters of attenders p OQ n LU o To monitor school standards to ensure high quality education for all students. 4.1 42 Review of data. School monitoring visits. Annually Ongoing Assoc Supt Principals Asst Supts Planning, Research and Evaluation Calendars of visits Monitoring reportsni. To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the recruitment program for the incentive schools. The Little Rock School District Biracial Advisory Committee will also serve as e steering committee for the incentive school recruitment program. The Little Rock School District Office of Desegregation will be responsible for submitting bi-monthly reports on the implementation and effectiveness of various recruitment strategies. These reports wUl also be shared wi the Little Rock School District Board of Directors. The Biracial Advisory Committee will review each bi-monthly report and recommend to the Board of Directors and/or Office of Desegregation any changes needed in recruitment strategies/ activities. The Biracial Advisory Committee will also appoint two ex-officio members with expertise in marketing/ advertising to advise the Committee on recruitment strategies. The Biracial Advisory Committee will evaluate the recruitment program each gnarfer The evaluation of the recruitment program will be addressed in the quarterly monitoring/evaluation report on the incentive school program Page 217LRSD DESEGREGATION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE AREA: Incentive Schools Goal
To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the recruitment program for the incentive schools. Objccf ivcs Stiutegies/ Activities Beginning Date Ending Date Respoiisibilify livaliiutioii I. Provide a special inservice for the LRSD Bi-racial Advisory Committee on the Incentive School Program and the Long-term Desegregation Plan. l.i 12 2. To utilize the services of individuals with expertise in marketing/advertising. 2.1 3. To develop procedures for monitoring implementation of the recruitment program. 3.1 32 3.3 4. Notify committee of special meeting. Conduct special inservice meeting. (1) Review pbn and focus on parent recruitment program. Appoint ex-officio members to Bi-racial Advisory Committee. Develop draft of monitoring procedures. Prepare final draft. August August August August September September September September Assoc Siipt-Deseg Assoc Supt-Deseg Assoc Supt-Deseg Bi-racial Advisory Committee Assoc Supt-Deseg Bi-racial Advisory Committee Chairperson Dlr of Eval and Testing Assoc Supt-Deseg Bi-racial Advisory Committee Chairperson Dir of Eval and Testing p 09 rt hJ w 5. Recommend any changes needed in recruitment strategies/activities. To evaluate the recruitment program. 4.1 5.1 Review monitoring procedures with superintendent's cabinet, Bi-racial Advisory Committee, and incentive school principals. Review bi-monthly reports on recruitment program. Prepare quarterly report and submit to Board of Directors June November Ongoing Ongoing Assoc Supt-Deseg Dir of Eval and Testing Bl-raclal Advisory Committee Bi racial Advisory CommitteeEDUCATIONAL EQUITY MONITORING Two methods of monitoring will be used in assessing the educational programs in the LRSD. Each method will be based on a design which will be approved by the superintendent of schools and presented prior to the opening of school to the LRSD Board of Directors, central office administrators, and e certified school-based staff members. One monitoring and evaluation design will be based on the educational equity concept and will be used in all schools in the District. The second will provide monitoring and evaluation geared toward the programs in the incentive schools. There shall be a district-wide Biracial Committee which shall be responsible for the annual monitoring of desegregation implementation. A. Educational Equity Monitoring and Evaluation The Little Rock School District will monitor for educational equity in all schools in the District. The monitoring will be conducted by the Planning, Research, and Evaluation (PRE) staff with assistance from local biracial committees consisting of parents. Each committee will conduct at least one school visit each semester using a monitoring instrument developed during the spring and summer of 1990 by the three school districts in Pulaski County, the Arkansas Department of Education, and the Desegregation Assistance Center in San Antonio, Texas. The incentive schools will be monitored at least once each quarter by members of the districtwide biracial committee. The committees will report semi-annually to the superintendent the progress or lack of progress in the following areas: Separation of Races in School Programs Extracurricular Activities Achievement Disparity Handicapped Education Gifted and Talented Education Staff Development Curriculum (Multicultural) School/ District Initiated Awards/ Honors Committees (appointed) Parental Involvement Student Discipline Building Leadership Management Human Relations Page 224B, Incentive School Monitoring and Evaluation The Equity in Educational Opportunity (EEO) evaluation design was used from 1982- 1990 in the LRSD for evaluating the programs in schools which fall outside desegregation requirements and randomly selected control schools. Program monitoring and program assessment are the major components of the evaluation design. The Educational Equity Monitoring instrument was used during the 1990-91 school year. A committee including the principals of the incentive schools, the superintendents senior management team, planning and evaluation specialists from the Planning, Research and Evaluation Office, and six members from the Biracial Advisory Committee (including two nominated by Joshua) will meet on or before July 1 of each year to revise the evaluation educational equity monitoring design to conform with the expectations of the incentive school program. Any revision wiU be submitted to the Board of Directors and the Joshua Intervenors by August 15. If the parties disagree about whether a proposed revision promotes the overall objectives of the desegregation plan, that question may be presented to the court for resolution. The incentive schools will be monitored at least once each quarter by one of the monitoring teams which use members from the districtwide Biracial Committee. The districtwide Biracial Committee will consist of persons from various geographic areas of the community. Reports will be prepared after each monitoring visit and distributed to the superintendent, deputy superintendent, associate/ assistant superintendents, and the principals of the schools which were monitored. Quarterly reports summarizing all the monitoring visits WiU be prepared by personnel from the Planning, Research and Evaluation Office and presented through the superintendent to the Board of Directors of the LRSD during a regular meeting of the Board. The associate superintendent for desegregation will be responsible for insuring that deficiencies listed in the monitoring reports are eliminated in a timely manner C Consultant/ Monitor A consultant/monitor who has experience in the desegregation of schools will be provided to make evaluations and recommendations to the Court, superintendent, associate superintendent for desegregation, and others for improving the quality of desegregated education in LRSD schools. Copies of each monitoring visit report and any other information requested regarding the LRSD, PCSSD, and the North Little Rock School District (NLRSD) will be provided to the consultant/monitor. The consultant/ monitors evaluations and recommendations will be based on visits to the schools in the LRSD, PCSSD and the NLRSD Page 225LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE OF DESEGREGATION 501 SHERMAN ST. LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72202 MEMORANDUM TO: Dr. Russ Mayo, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation RECBVSD FROM: Dr. Edwin Jackson DATE: August 8, 1994 AUG 2 5 1994 SUBJECT: Biracial Advisory Committee Update Office of Dese^reg:
n y. Several new Biracial Committee member applications have been received for the 1994-95 school year. We will be working with Mr. Steve Meeker, Biracial Committee Chairperson for the current school year, to review all applicants and make new committee recommendations. An orientation/organizational meeting will be scheduled for mid-September to work out comprehensive operating procedures for the new year. ptEDUCATIONAL EQUITY MONITORING Two methods of monitoring will be used in assessing the educational programs in the LRSD. Each method will be based on a design which will be approved by the superintendent of schools and presented prior to the opening of school to the LRSD Board of Directors, central office administrators, and the certified school-based staff members. One monitoring and evaluation design will be based on the educational equity concept and will be used in all schools in the District. The second will provide monitoring and evaluation gecired toward the programs in the incentive schools. There shall be a district-wide Biracial Committee which shall be responsible for the annual monitoring of desegregation implementation. Educational Equity Monitoring and Evaluation The Little Rock School District will monitor for educational equity in all schools in the District. The monitoring will be conducted by the Planning, Research, and Evaluation (PRE) staff with assistance from local biracial committees consisting of parents. Each committee will conduct at least one school visit each semester using a monitoring instrument developed during the spring and summer of 1990 by the three school districts in Pulaski County, the Arkansas Department of Education, and the Desegregation Assistance Center in San Antonio, Te.xas. The incentive schools will be monitored at least once each quarter by members of the districtwide biracicil committee. The committees will report semi-annually to the superintendent the progress or lack of progress in the following areas: Separation of Races in School Programs Extracurricular Activities Achievement Disparity Handicapped Education Gifted and Talented Education Staff Development Curriculum (Multiculturcil) School/District Initiated Awards/Honors Committees (appointed) Parental Involvement Student Discipline Building Leadership Management Human Relations IIncentive School Monitoring and Evaluation The Equity in Educational Opportunity CEEO) evaluation design was used from 1982-1990 in the LRSD for evaluating the programs in schools which fall outside desegregation requirements and randomly selected control schools. Program monitoring and program assessment are the major components of the evciluation design. The Educational Equity Monitoring instrument )was used during the 1990-91 school year. A committee including the principals of the incentive schools, the superintendent's senior management team, planning and evaluation specialists from the Planning, Research and Evaluation Office, cind six members from the Biracial Advisory Committee Cincluding two nominated by Joshua) will meet on or before July 1 of each year to revise the evaluation educational equity monitoring design to conform with the expectations of the incentive school program. Any revision will be submitted to the Board of Directors and the Joshua Intervenors by August 15. If the parties disagree about whether a proposed revision promotes the overall objectives of the desegregation plan, that question may be presented to the court for resolution. The incentive schools will be monitored at least once each quarter by one of the monitoring teams which use members from the districtwide Biracial Committee. The districtwide Biracial Committee will consist of persons from various geographic areas of the community. Reports will be prepared after each monitoring visit and distributed to the superintendent, deputy superintendent, associate/assistant superintendents, and the principals of the schools which were monitored. Quarterly reports summarizing all the monitoring visits will be prepared by personnel from the Planning, Research and Evaluation Office and presented through the superintendent to the Board of Directors of the LRSD during a regular meeting of the Board. The associate superintendent for desegregation will be responsible for insuring that deficiencies listed in the monitoring reports are eliminated in a timely manner. Consultant/Monitor A consultant/monitor who has experience in the desegregation of schools will be provided to make evaluations and recommendations to the Court, superintendent, associate superintendent for desegregation, and others for improving the quality of desegregated education in LRSD schools. Copies of each monitoring visit report and anv other information requested regarding the LRSD, PCSSD, and the North Little Rock School District (NLRSD) will be provided to the consultant/monitor. The consultant/monitor's evaluations and recommendations will be based on visits to the schools in the LRSD, PCSSD and the NLRSD as necessary and on information contained in the monitoring reports. The consultant/monitor will report the findings, conclusions, and evaluations to the Court. The consultant/monitor will be available to train counsel and otherwise assist administrators, principals, teachers, and others in improving educational programs. The consultant/monitor will be appointed by the Court.To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the recruitment program for the incentive schools. The Little Rock School District Biracial Advisory Committee will also serve as the steering committee for the incentive school recruitment program. The Little Rock School District Office of Desegregation will be responsible for submitting bi-monthly reports on the implementation and effectiveness of various recruitment strategies. These reports will also be shared with the Little Rock School District Board of Directors. The Biracial Advisory Committee will review each bi-monthly report and recommend to the Board of Directors and/or Office of Desegregation any changes needed in recruitment strategies/activities. The Biracial Advisory Committee will also appoint two ex-otncio members with expertise in marketing/advertising to advise the 2 Committee on recruitment strategies. The Biracial Advisory Committee will evaluate the recruitment program each 4 quarter. The evaluation of the recruitment program will be addressed in the quarterly monitoring/evaluation report on the incentive school program.Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501) 376-6200 Fax (501) 371 -0100 Date: August 25, 1994 To: Russ Mayo From: Brown Subject Biracial Committee Monitoring Reports for 1993-94 In checking our records, I do not find that the district has forwarded to us any monitoring reports from the the Biracial Committee for the last school year. 111 appreciate having that information as soon as possible. Thank you. Little Rock School District September 8, 1994 received Ms. Ann Brown Federal Monitor Office of Desegregation Monitoring 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Office Little Rock, AR 72201 SEP 1 of Oesegfeaato'' Monrtofing Dear Ann: have received your request of August 25, 1994 concerning monitoring reports of the Bi-Racial Committee for the 1993-94 school year. Since poor meeting attendance plagued the committee last year, limited monitoring was done. Arma Hart coordinated this committee last year and expressed concern about their frustration. I This year we have approximately 25 new numbers. We expect more involvement and follow through. On September 5, 1994, we will have our first meeting of the 1994-95 school year, be held at that time for all members. Tkn orientation will Attached is information summarizing last year's sentiments from Steve Meeker, Chairman of the Committee. Though he refers to a report given to Arma Hart, we are unable to locate the report. If you have questions, please call me at 324-2408. Sincerely, Russ Mayo Associate Superintendent of Desegregation RM:dk Attachment: (4) 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)824-2000 09 '07-94 06:25 0002 To
Krom: Date: SIEMENS 56'
s!r ias's 0501 8974050 S ! Little Rock School District Dr. Russ Mayo, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation Stev'e Meeker, Chairman, LRSD Biracial Advisoiy Committee September 6, 1994 RECESVEOi SEP 1 5 1994 Office of Desegregation Monitorinc I Subject: Comments on 1993-94 Monitoring by LRSD BAC Because of dwindling membership participation and recognition that past monitoring activities were duplications of other organization's efforts, the LRSD Biracial Advisory Committee conqjleted only partial monitoring during the 1993-94 school year. Ihe results of these monitoring trips were tinned into Ms. Arma Hart, the LRSD Desegregation Fa-cilitator and liaison to the Committee. The momtoring vi.sits were conducted during the fall of 1993 tlu'ough the spring of 1994. Througljout the year the Committee discussed and evaluated data from various sources, in efuding its own monitoring experiences, reports from the Office of Desegregation, media coverage, and other personal information regarding the Incentive Schools and the District. Tt iaimmarized these conclusions in its January 1994 meeting minutes, which axe attached. To facilitate a more meaningful role for the Biracial Advisory Committee, the Committee repeatedly reqiiesled that the LRSD revamp ihe monitoring approach imphed by the Desegregation Plan (see the attached memo, "Requested Changes for Biracial Advisory Committee, dated May 2, 1994). These attempts produced no results to date but, in my opinion, still deserve action. I beheve the LRSD administration is fundamental^' reorienting the Incentiv'e School mission as evidenced by the closing of two Incentive Schools in two years as well as the reassigning of several Incentive School principals. I hope that the Biracial Advisoiy Committee will be granted real opportunities lo contribute citizen opinion, commentary and volunteer efforts to these new strategies, not only regarding Incentive Schools but also the broader issues of racial desegregation, student discipline, and acaderiiic performance disparities along racial line.s. Atuchments: 1, "Minutes of LiUle Rock School District Biracial Advisoiy Committee", Januaiy 11, 1994 2' "Requested Changes for Biracial Advisoty' Commillce", May 2, 1994 (author: Steve Meeker) B:BIKACIAT.\MAYO2,UOC ikham Street Little Kock, Arkansas 72201 (501)524-2000 - by o-//4 oc: iti Ji
V. Little Rock School District RECESVED SEP 1 1994 To
From
Dr. Russ Mayo, Associate Siiperinieodent for Desegregation Arma J. Hart, Desegregation Facilitator Steve Meeker, Chairman, I .RSD Biracial Advisory Committee Office of Desegregation Moiutofifig Date: May 2, 1994 UOMl <*l-<UdU t Subject: Requested Changes for Biracial Advisory Committee As requested in your April 11, 1994 memo entitled "Plan Modification for Monitoring", wish to suggest the following changes be pursued (Note that these topics have been I identified in previous memoranda and Committee meeting minutes throughout the 1993- 94 school year.) 1, AoDroval of new Corpmittee memhers Repeated recmitment aTteiwts have apparently failed to produce lists of candidates aacciceptable to the LRSD Administration due to racial and gender balance requirements. At least 27 persons have been named as prospective members since January 1994. As long ago as November 1993, discussions have been conducted recommending that the Committee be allowed to admit new members prior to its usual admission time frame as specified by Conjj.oiitce bylaws [Committee meeting minutes. Avvember 2, 1993, paragraph 2, Committee meeting minutes, December 7, 1993. paragraph 2
"Monitoring Instrument Change and Member Recruitment", January 30, 1994, paragraph 2
Convnittee meeting minutes, February 1, 1994, paragraph 3
"Sununcoy of March 16 Meeting", March 17, 1994, para-grap/ i 7 j. At this time, no motion has been placed before the LRSD Board because of the determinatinn bv Administration officials that the proposed members represent jjn madcouatc racial balance. The Committee is currently down to nine (9) active members, with npennurs for nineteen (19) new members ["Membership for the LRSD Bi-Racial Aebisory Committee, April 5, 1994\. Z, Evaluation of the current monitoring instrument A continual, major issue since September 1993 has been the hi.stitution of an im
proved, more focused monitoring in-stnimcnt as suggested by the Office of Desegregation Monitoring [Committee minutes, September 7, 1993, paragraph 5). U-gal counsel was consulted, culminating in attorney Chris Heller of Friday, Eldredge & Clark appearing before the Committee [Committee minutes, December 7, 1993, 810 West Markhuni Street Little Rock. Arkansas 72201 (501)324.-2000 09'07/94 06:26 0501 8974050 SIEMENS @004 Page 2 of 2
Recfuest.ed Changes for Dirocial Advi sory_Commir.r.e!!e. Meeker paragraph 7], In accordance to the Desegregation Plan, dated April 29, 1992, pages 224-225, requests were made to the LRSD Office of Desegregation to arrange for the necessary parties to meet to discuss monitoring changes yivionitoring Instrinneftt Cliange and Member Rgcruitment", January 30, J 994, paragraph 1, "Summary of March 16 Meeting", March 17, 1994, para^aph 2]. The CnTTimittee requests help in streamlining the monitoring process while also r^ during the redundancy of the inspection process of incentive schools. This may eventually result in the combining of several groups' monitoring efforts. 3, Recognition of the Committee's role beyond monitoring The Committee, composed of volunteer citizens, deserves to be heard on general issti.es. Tt should be, 1 believe, something more than a superfluous, bureaucratic inspection agency. I think the Committee should report to the LRSD Board without having tlie constrictions of a multi-tiered fonnalized rqjorting structure. It should be concerned with more global issues, similar to those exiiressed in the Committee's January 11, 1991 minutes. Thank you for your consideration. } '' Steven L. Meeker T U:MRACTAL\MAYO1JXX:u
i! 'O'OUl 4MI4M0U sitMt.'a Itl uuo Minutes of Little Rock School District Biracial Advisory Committee January 11,1994 Attendees: Arma Hart, LRSD Delaney Fleming Steve Meeker Liz Parkhurst Terrie Roof Mary Swift Shirley Thomas Excused absences: none Visitors: none RECB?V5in SEP 1 1994 Oliice of Desegregation Motiftonng I The findings: and impressions of the Committee members from the fall, 1993 monitoring of the LRSD incentive schools were discussed The following sunimaiv conclusions were agreed upon by all Committee members present at the meeting
1. The Committee questions the Little Rock School District's commitment to incentive schools regarding desegiegatiou. 2. Qtiplity education is evident in incoitivc schools not vidthstanding lack of racial balance and greater educational cliallenges. 3. Desegregation is a community problem. 4. Funding for incentive schools should be maintained bey ond the settlement agreement to pursue test score impruvemeuts. 3. Historical development of magnet schools has been different from incenth'e schools, resulting in superior desegregation results in the magnet schopls. 6. LRSD's recruitment strategics for desegregating the incentive schools have been inefiective. Respectfully submitted by Steve Meeker LRSD Biracial Committee minutes, January 11, 19945: pumc I of] (A:\BIRAC1AL\94OIMJK.DOC}CM bJ O <r Q. LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT - BIRACIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS - 1994-95 Name Bayani, Tin Address Home Work R G 3708 North Hills Blvd.72116 758-8998 1-247-6613 As/A M CD II tn in |HQ ( n IJ Bobo, Carla Cauley, Sharon Castle-Miller, Karen , Dave 23 White Willow Ct 72212 2124 S. Tyler St 72204 300 Latona Ln. NLR 72118 7203 Cloverdale Rd. 72209 224-6746 666-6216 758-3351 562-0021 B W F F 851-5196 758-7187 B F W M UJ Q o tn Q tn Ct -hlUL- SM-t .a I J Davis, Dr. Betty Dickson, Dr. Betty Ewings, Florida Fleming, Delaney Frazier, Vannessa Gilbert Jack 11 Johnson Ranch Rd. 72212 186 Pebble Beach Dr. 72212 2104 Summit 72206 9505 Cerelle 72205 1104 S. Schiller 72202 4400 Foster 72204 868-4255 221-2265 376-6080 224-0630 370-9729 565-7849 340-6776 376-1063 W B B B B B F F F M F M co n CM CM cn o in Gilkey, Barbara Glasgow, Debbie Ct in cn CP co CM CO O 10513 Diamond Dr. 72209 1104 Fawnwood 72207 562-4162 227-7554 320-3671 B W F F ei 0 ill .W-t-r Hawkins, Melissa 422 N. Palm 72205 666-7474 W F Hudson, Albert Hundley, Joe Hundley, Mim Johnson, Roy 5807 Timberside Rd. 72204 8220 Leatrice Dr. IIIQJ 5240 Edgewood Rd. 72207 4022 Arapaho Tr. 123109 562-6965 225-4408 666-8985 568-5865 B M 1-450-3400 1-329-6851 W W B M F Mfn o llj CD <1 CL I Name Jones, Nor Ki Hings worth, Jim Lock, Arthur Address P.O. Box 250203 72225 8215 Evergreen Or. 72207 3515 Lehigh 72204 Home 372-2470 228-5537 225-9035 Work 399-3869 228-5957 R W W B s: z CD CO tn Loring, Kathy 77 Rachel Ct. 72206 888-4623 CLiZl___ Lowe, Ken 3024 Ringo 72206 374'0650 B 2: bJ Q CO Q tn CK Morton, Pamela Parkhurst, Liz }\/ __ _Roedel, Rob Root, Terrie Scoggins, Ann 6016 Forest View Rd. 72204 1820 Fair Park 72204 16 Daniel Dr. 72116 811 Shea 72205 1418 S. Louisiana 72202 373-3111 663-5573 834-1207 227-6710 374-3945 W 372-5450 758-1443 W W W W Scott, Herbert Steward, John Strong, Elston 2201 Romine Rd. 72204 924 Midland 72205 9301 Labette Dr. 72205 224-8732 666-5963 221-1377 682-1753 378-2154 666-6131 B W B 00 CM CM C'J co o CM O tn cn cn co CM CO o Swift, Mary Th^as, Shirley Wills, Jay 73 Plantation 72206 2300 Rebsarrwn Pk. Rd. 72205 128 N. Woodrow 72205 490-2448 666-9613 666-1675 376-1555 B B W a G M M M F M F F M F F M M M F F MLITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT PLANNING, RESEARCH AND EVALUATION Date
September 8, 1995 To: Principals SEP 1 I 1995 From: Dr. Ed Jackson, Director Planning, Research and Evaluation Office of Oessgress
1 RE
Local School Biracial Committee According to the Little Rock School District (LRSD) Desegregation plan (pages 224, 225), biracial committees of parents will be formed at each school to assist in monitoring educational equity. Site visits will be conducted by the Planning, Research and Evaluation (PRE) staff with the assistance of local biracial committees consisting of parents/patrons. Attached is a list by school with the PRE Specialists narhe who drew the school for monitoring. If you have not already been contacted by the PRE Specialist for a monitoring date, you will soon be receiving a phone call for a discussion about a convenient date for program monitoring. All parent/patron committee members will be expected: 1. 2. To complete inservice education related to program monitoring techniques and the desegregation plan. This inservice will be conducted by the PRE Staff prior to the first school monitoring visit. We expect to complete the inservice for the parents by October 5. The monitoring process will essentially be the same as that of the last two school years. Parents/patrons who have previously received training regarding the monitoring process will not be required to attend another inservice. However, they are welcome to attend, if they wish. Principals may wish to select some of the same parents/patrons who have previously served as monitors, since they would already be familiar with the process. To complete one monitoring visit each semester. Parents/patrons should be advised that monitoring is a major function for the current school year and that the monitoring process could take a full school day to complete. During the monitoring visits, checklists will be used to record and gather data regarding the conditions and events at the school. Monitors will record and report findings only. Mediation of conditions and events are inappropriate during the site visit. The committee should be composed of six persons, comprised of two teachers and four parents/patrons, balanced by race (two black and two white parents). Like last school year the teachers on your committee will not monitor the programs for equity. However, if you add others to the committee, you may do so without a ratio being required. When you call the committee together to review the monitoring summary report 2 and to give suggestions for program improvement, this is the time to involve the teachers and others on the committee. Efforts should be made to extend the selection process beyond a traditional parent structure to ensure broad representation. Please refrain from using parents/patrons who are Little Rock School District employees as progra monitors. m Please forward the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the four parents/patrons who will serve on your local school biracial committee to the PRE Department NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 20, 1995. Inservice for biracial committee monitoring will be held at the Administration Building at 810 West Markham. Principals are requested to notify biracial committee parents of the inservice as soon as possible. Inservices are scheduled as follows: Elementary Area and Magnet Schools: October 3, 1995 Meet in the LRSD Board Room, 810 W. Markham, 6:30 pm Secondary and Incentive Schools: October 5, 1995 Meet in the LRSD Board Room, 810 W. Markham, 6:30 pm Site visits for the first semester are tentatively scheduled to be conducted between October 23 and December 15, 1995. Principals will be contacted to establish monitoring dates. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Paul J. Smith in the PRE office at 324-2120. Your prompt attention and cooperation in this effort is greatly appreciated. cc: Dr. Henry P. Williams Mrs. Anne E. Brown, Director Office of Desegregation Monitoring Dr. Russell Mayo, Associate Superintendent for Desegregation Ms. Margaret Gremillion, Assistant Superintendent, Elementary Ms. Sadie Mitchell, Assistant Superintendent, Elementary Dr. Victor Anderson, Assistant Superintendent, Secondary EnclosureLITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT PRE SPECIALIST ASSIGNMENT BY SCHOOL 1995-96 School PRE Specialist School PRE Specialist Central Fair Hall Selma Hobby Paul J. Smith Kathy Penn-Norman McClellan Parkview Metropolitan J.J. Lacey Selma Hobby K Penn-Norman Cloverdale JHS Dunbar JHS Forest Heights Henderson Mabelvale JHS Selma Hobby Paul J. Smith Paul J. Smith Paul J. Smith Selma Hobby Mann Magnet Pulaski Heights JHS Southwest ALC K. Penn-Norman K. Penn-Norman J.J. Lacey J.J. Lace)' Badgett Bale Baseline Booker Magnet Brady Carver Magnet Chicot Cloverdale Elem. Dodd Fair Park Forest Park Franklin Fulbright Garland Geyer Springs Gibbs Magnet Jefferson King Magnet Kathy Penn-Norman Kathy Penn-Norman J.J. Lace) Kathy Penn-Norman Kathy Penn-Norman Paul J. Smith J.J. Lacey Selma Hobby Selma Hobby Paul J. Smith Selma Hobby Paul J. Smith Paul J. Smith Paul J. Smith Selma Hobby Kathy Penn-Norman Selma Hobby Kathy Penn-Norman Mabelvale Elem. McDermott Meadowcliff Mitchell Otter Creek Pulaski Heights Elem. Righisell Rockefeller Romine Interdistrict Terr) Wakefield Washington Watson Western Hills Williams Magnet Wilson Woodruff J.J. Lacey Selma Hobby J.J. Lacey K. Penn-Norman Paul J. Smith Paul J. Smith J.J. Lacey Selma Hobby Paul J. Smith Paul J. Smith J.J. Lace)' Paul J. Smith J.J. Lace) K. Penn-Norman Selma Hobby K. Penn-Norman Selma HobbyXX: XX ox0X4XXOX urov oiuvcj'ii MooxkaHri r(3c. !sr' ccass^ Little Rock School District October 2, 1995 MEMBERS OF THE LRSD BIRACIAL COMMITTEE: Building, aw West Markham Street. ' I look forward to seeing you there. at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the Little Rock School District Administration Refreshments will be sen/ed, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Enclosed are the minutes of the August 29, 1995, committee Sincerely, C. Russell Mayo Associate Superintendent for Desegregation meeting. CRM:pt 810 West .Markham Street Little Rock. Arkansas 72201 (501)834-200010/10/1995 11:11 5013242281 LRSD STUDENT ASSDaNM PAGE 03 *-mT-E ROCK SCHOOL bi-racial commit ICT '^5 ""Ong Opened
6.x P.M. X X, Joe Hundley, Dr. Russ Mayo Cauley, Betty Davis, Delaney Fleming. Zn Scroggins. Dr. Russ Mayo Dr. Mayo gave the our last meeting. A brief description ^mmjttee mernt^ an events that had taken place since 1. LR?n n '^^"'toring Instrument r------ LRSD Board and Ms Poendavtor . ------- ^--ed to list thXsTme^^ to'^
" recommendations went before the ___ - V'.'.g parental Fncfn P^'^la* involvement As instrument was approved August 8,1995. result 4 more items were included. 4. Background information was suooiipd nn --------- arreapondanca that had taZ plaS StwZ infomaiion was giyan in relaUon 3. It was noted that the desire of the Ri-PoHai odjectiu, lu irie monitoring visits from 4 visits to 2 visit\ i to shorten their 4. Ah a Iha sZZ consideration. unt a Blacks ,rolled ^oSi^hM i 5 Students had 5. The LRSD will a . - and Modification I., . ^^n Walker. Walker's objections to the Board. required attendance for the District revealed that the student increased by approximately 2% while achieved. . - ^creased. seek release from parts of the desegregation plan that we have and "la P ming year 1. Obtain the activities of local 2. Obtain the LRSD' schools Bi-Racial Committee. ''s expectation of the Bi-Racial Committee. Next Meeting Date: 2nd Tuesday August and September meetings) in October. {Tonights meeting encompasses the Minutes taken by Sharon I. Cauley.-4 ? 4201 <601)U34a000.r. - (0 l( gci 1 i Oilice Oi OsseQ! VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION TITLE/POSITION: Bi-racial Committee Member Goal of the Position: The Bi-racial Committee members are selected to assist in the desegregation of the Little Rock schools and to promote quality desegregated education. Sample Activities: 1. 2. 3. 4. Attend an orientation meeting Attend monthly Bi-racial committee meetings Make 4 yearly monitoring visits to the Incentive Schools Commit to serve for 3 years on the committee Timeframe: Length of commitment: Estimated total hours: Scheduling: 3 years, 1 meeting per month, 4 monitoring visits per year average of 2 1/2 hours per month meeting schedule to be determined by committee Worksite: Various schools while monitoring and Little Rock School District Board Room 810 West Markham- Little Rock, Arkansas Qualifications Sought: 1. Adult resident of the city of Little Rock 2. Interest and concern in the successful desegregation of Little Rock School District 3. Act as an advisory committee member to the Little Rock School District Benefits: 1. 2. 3. Community and Multi-cultural involvement Promoting positive racial harmony Involvement in the educational process For Further Information: Contact: Dr, Russ Mayo. Associate Superintendent Phone: 324-2408VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION TITLE/TQSITIQM: Bi-racial Committee Chairman Goal of the Position: The Bi-racial committee members are selected to assist in the desegregation of the Little Rock schools and to promote quality desegregated education. Sample Activities: 1. Preside over each bi-racial meeting 2. Send communication to each member 3. Set-up monitoring schedule of Incentive Schools Timeframe: Length of commitment: Estimated total hours: Scheduling: 3 years, 1 meeting per month, 4 monitoring visits per year average of 5-8 hours per month monthly meeting or called meetings as needed Worksite: Various schools while monitoring and Little Rock School District Board Room 810 West Markham Little Rock, Arkansas Qualifications Sought: 1. Adult resident of the city of Little Rock 2. 2. 3. Bi-racial committee member Interest and concern in the successful desegregation of Little Rock School District Act as an advisory committee member to the Little Rock School District 1. 2. Community and Multi-cultural involvement Promoting positive racial harmony 3. Involvement in the educational process For Further Information: Contact: Dr, Russ Mayo, Associate Superintendent Phone: 324-2408VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION TITLE/POSITION: Bi-racial Committee Vice-Chairman Goal of the Position: The Bi-racial committee members are selected to assist in the desegregation of the Little Rock schools and to promote quality desegregated education. Sample Activities: 1. Preside over each bi-racial meeting in the absence of the chairman 2. Assist the chairman when needed Timeframe: Length of commitment: Estimated total hours: Scheduling: 3 years, 1 meeting per month, 4 monitoring visits per year average of 5-8 hours per month monthly meeting or called meetings as needed Worksite: Various schools while monitoring and Little Rock School District Board Room 810 West Markham- Little Rock, Arkansas Qualifications Sought: 1. Adult resident of the city of Little Rock 2. Bi-racial committee member 2. 3. Interest and concern in the successful desegregation of Little Rock School District Act as an advisory committee member to the Little Rock School District Benefits: 1. 2. 3. Commimity and Multi-cultural involvement Promoting positive racial harmony Involvement in the educational process For Further Information: Contact: Dr. Russ Mayo. Associate Superintendent Phone: 324-2408VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION TITLE/POSITION: Bi-racial Committee Secretary Goal of the Position: The Bi-racial committee members are selected to assist in the desegregation of the Little Rock schools and to promote quality desegregated education. Sample Activities: 1. Takes minutes of each meeting 2. Send communication to each member Timeframe: Length of commitment: Estimated total hours: Scheduling: 3 years, 1 meeting per month, 4 monitoring visits per year average of 5-8 hours per month monthly meeting or called meetings as needed Worksite: Various schools while monitoring and Little Rock School District Board Room 810 West Markham Little Rock, Arkansas Qualifications Sought: 1. Adult resident of the city of Little Rock 2. 2. 3. Bi-racial committee member Interest and concern in the successful desegregation of Little Rock School District Act as an advisory committee member to the Little Rock School District 1. 2. Community and Multi-cultural involvement Promoting positive racial harmony 3. Involvement in the educational process For Further Information: Contact: Dr. Russ Mayo. Associate Superintendent Phone: 324-2408p-' 1 OCT 1 9 1995 October 18, 1995 Office of Desegregation Mon.. You are invited to attend a Special Meeting of the LRSD Bi-racial Committee on Tuesday, October 24, 1995. This meeting will be held in the Board Room, at the Little Rock School District Administration Building, 810 West Markham Street. Refreshments will be served, beginning at 5:45 p.m.. This meeting will be an informal discussions with other parties involved in the desegregation plan. Your attendance will be appreciated. Sincerely, L Kenyon Lowe LRSD Bi-racial ChairmanCP LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT OCT -i - wbi-racial advisory co Office of Desegregation Monitoring Thursday, October 19, 1995 9SS The following persons have advised me that they no lon^r^Q/ifef11 to serve on the Little Rock Bi-Racial Advisory Committee for various reasons: Roy Johnson Albert Hudson Shirley Thomas Carla Bobo Florida Ewings Vanessa Frazier Barbara Gilkey Melissa Hawkins Mim Hundley Liz Parkhurst Terrie Root Jim Killingsworth Tin Bayani African-American Male African-American Male African-American Female African-American Female African-American Female African-American Female African-American Female Caucasian Female Caucasian Female Caucasian Female Caucasian Female Caucasian Male Asian Male Respectfully, Kenyon \Loive, Sr., Chairman Little RoclJSchool District Bi-Racial Advisory Coinmittcc cc: LRSD BLRacial Advisory Committee members Ann Brown, Office of Desegregation Monitoring Atty. John Walker, Joshua Intervenors Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)376-6200 Fax (501) 371-0100 Date: November 6, 1995 To: Kenyon Lowe, Chairman LRSD Biracial Committee From: Melissa Guldi: n^i^sociate Monitor Subject: 1995-96 Monitoring Schedule Each year when we schedule our monitoring visits to various schools, we try to avoid dates that are too close to or coincide with monitoring being conducted by other groups. If you would send us a copy of your 1995-96 monitoring schedule, we could plan our visits with your dates in mind. Thank you for you help, and 1 hope the Biracial Committee has a productive year. cc
Russ MayoZP J '^f-' -e Little Rock School District 1995 Office of Oesegregation Moilllillllly NOV 9 a November 7, 1995 MEMBERS OF SCHOOL BIRACIAL COMMITTEES: At the Districtwide Biracial Committee meeting on October 24, 1995, many of you expressed your desire to attend future meetings of this committee. For your information, the Districtwide Biracial Committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m., in the Board Room at the Little Rock School District Administration Office, 810 West Markham Street. Dates of the remaining meetings scheduled for the 1995-96 school year are listed below. November 14, 1995 December 12, 1995 January 9, 1996 February 13, 1996 March 12, 1996 April 9, 1996 May 14, 1996 June 11,1996 I look forward to seeing you at these meetings. Sincerely, C. Russell Mayo Associate Superintendent for Desegregation CRM:pt 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72301 (501)834-2000KCCBB0? Little Rock School District November 7, 1995 MEMBERS OF THE LRSD BIRACIAL COMMITTEE: The next meeting of the Biracial Advisory Committee will be held at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 14, 1995, in the Board Room, at the Little Rock School District Administration Building, 810 West Markham Street. I look forward to seeing you there. Enclosed are the minutes of the October 10, 1995, meeting. Sincerely, C. Russell Mayo Associate Superintendent for Desegregation CRM:pt Enclosure 810 West Markham street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)324-2000LRSD Bi-racial Committee Meeting Minutes Oct. 10, 1995 Members present: Ann Scoggins, Joe Hundley, Sharon Cauley, Dave Cooley, Betty Davis, Kenyon Lowe, Sr., Delaney Fleming. Russ Mayo introduced the following guests: 1. RUSS Nancy Acre new Director of Student Assignment
Becky Rather - Parent the Recruiter
Essie Middleton - Parent Recruiter
Ed Jackson Director of P.R.E.
Paul Smith P.R.E. 2. Recruitment Activities: Becky Rather passed out incentive school recruitment information packets to committee members and reviewed content. Discussion followed reguarding numbers of nonwhite and "other" students, i.e. Garland's Hispanic population, and Rockefeller's success in attracting white students. It's success was attributed to the Early Childhood Program and the three 4 yr. old programs. strong parent support. It was also recognized as having It was was emphasized that the District Recruiters recruit for all schools and also recruit black students to schools such as Pulaski Heights. Question: Rightsell schools? What is being done to recruit for Mitchell and Ms Middleton stated that they are actively assisting these schools to recruit white parents through neighborhood businesses, noting the convenience of having your kids in school close to the workplace
that Rightsell worked hard this summer to recruit neighborhood kids. 3. Ed Jackson: monitoring instrument. Training date for new incentive school Mr Jackson noted that the plan calls for 4 incentive school monitoring visits. passed out to committee members. Monitoring team dates were Dave Cooley stated that the Biracial Committee wished to schedule school visits outside of P.R.E. Russ Mayo added that representatives are also to be sent to PRE district wide monitoring visits. Discussion made and decided by committee members to forego any training for old committee members as they were familiar with the new monitoring _--l. Committee members wished to check work calendars prior to tool . scheduling monitoring visits. Committee members are to contact Paul Smith at 324-2120 to schedule monitoring visits. Paul will coordinate visits and notify schools of impending monitoring visits. to schools will consist of a week of Notification opportunity... the exact date of the visit not revealed. 4. Report Russ Mayo passed out LRSD Bi-racial Committee Monitoring Nov. 16, 1992 for review by the committee. "Job" descriptions formulated by Russ Mayo were also passed out to committee members. Separate descriptions are in place for committee members, chairperson, vice-chair and attached). ecrel .1 t.y. (seepg. 2 5. stated Discussion of memo mailed by committee members. R. Mayo that no progress has been made toward the approval of recommendations formulated by the Bi-racial Committee (see attached memo). Frustation expressed by Committee members that they had worked hard to formulate these recommendations. Delaney and Kenyon volunteered to review the proposed document as Joshua Intervenors and send a memo to R. Mayo recommending approval of said document. If they recommend any changes, these must be approved by the Bi-Racial Committee. R. Mayo noted that he needed the approved instrument ASAP
Kenyon and Delaney agreed to meet on 10/12/95 to review document. Kenyon stated that he would be responsible for notifying all parties of Bi-racial Committee meetings. 6. Enrollment update by R. Mayo: The official count shows a loss of 309 total students. Southwest L.R. is increasing in % of black population and now those schools are 80% black. With Highland Park closing, concern was expressed for students who will be changing attendance zones. R. Mayo will contact Housing Authority to coordinate any change of schools for students. Motion made and carried to adjourn. Minutes taken by Ann Scoggins.% Little Rock School District RECpP' December 5, 1995 DEC 5-1995 Office of Desegregation MonitOiifig MEMBERS OF THE LRSD BIRACIAL COMMITTEE: The next meeting of the Biracial Advisory Committee will be held at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 12, 1995, in the Board Room, at the Little Rock School District Administration Building, 810 West Markham Street. I look forward to seeing you there. Enclosed are the minutes of the November 14, 1995 meeting. Sincerely, C. Russell Mayo Associate Superintendent for Desegregation CRM:pt Enclosure 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)324-2000BI-RACIAL CCA^MITTEE MEETING MINUTES NOV. 14, 1995 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: ANN SCOGGINS, DAVE COOLEY, BETTY DAVIS, JON STEWARD, JOE HUNDLEY, BETTY DICKSON, JACK GILBERT, MARY SWIFT. OTHERS PRESENT: RUSS MAYO, DEANNA KEI THEY, JEROME NGUNDUE (WILLIAMS MAGNET BI-RACIAL COMM. MBR.) IN ABSENCE OF KENYON LOWE, CHAIR, AND DELANEY FLEMING, VICE-CHAIR
R. MAYO REPORTED, AS LIAISON TO COMMITTEE, ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO EARLIER MODIFICATIONS TO BI-RACIAL COMMITTEE PLAN WHICH HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO COMMITTEE MEMBERS. EXPRESSED: DISCUSSION FOLLOWED, WITH VIEWS J. GILBERT REMINDED MEMBERS THAT AT THE OCTOBER MEETING, HE OBJECTED TO A SECOND REVIEW OF BI-RACIAL COMMITTEE PLAN AND LEFT THAT MEETING IN PROTEST. D. COOLEY PROPOSED TO PULL UP MINUTES FROM THE JAN. 10 BI-RACIAL COMMITTEE MEETING WHERE THE PLANNED CHANGES WERE APPROVED AND VOTED ON BY MEMBERS PRESENT. JAN. 10 MEETING MINUTES WERE RETRIEVED BY D. KE ITHEY AND READ TO THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS. SEE ATTACHED. COMMITTEE MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT JOSHUA INTERVENORS WERE NOT PRESENT TODAY TO PRESENT ADDITIONAL PROPOSED CHANGES TO EARLIER MODIFICATIONS. COMMITTEE MEMBERS STATED THAT THEY WISHED THE MINUTES TO REFLECT A CONSENSUS THAT THOSE PRESENT TODAY DO NOT AGREE WITH PROPOSED CHANGES BY K. LOWE AND D. FLEMING. B. DAVIS STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE THE MODIFICATIONS AS THEY NOW STAND TO BE SENT BACK TO THE COURT FOR APPROVAL. J. STEWARD STATED THAT INITIAL CHANGES WERE CONSIDERED WITH A QUORUM OF 18 COMMITTEE MEMBERS AT THE JAN. 10 MEETING WITH ACTIVE DISCUSSION, THAT VOTES WERE TAKEN AND ORIGINAL MODIFICATIONS WERE APPROVED. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE RESENTS THE IMPLICATION THAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS WERE RAILROADED, THAT THE ISSUES WERE NOT GIVEN DUE PROCESS AND THAT HE RESENTS THE QUESTIONING OF THE INTEGRITY OF THIS COMMITTEE BY PARTIES. R. MAYO REMINDED COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT HE FUNCTIONS ONLY AS A LIAISON TO THE BI-RACIAL COMMITTEE. REVIEW OF OCT. MEETING OF ALL BI-RACIAL SCHOOL-BASED COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND DISTRICT-WIDE COMMITTEE MEMBERS. SCHOOL-BASED MEMBERS: CONCERNS VOICED BY LACK OF ADEQUATE TRAINING, LACK OF REVIEW OF EARLIER REPORTS, LACK OF FEEDBACK TO SCHOOL-BASED COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THESE CONCERNS. R. MAYO STATED THAT HE WOULD MEET WITH ED JACKSON RE J. NGUNDUE STATED THAT HE FELT THAT THE TRAINING HE RECEIVED WAS ADEQUATE, THAT HE DID BENEFIT FROM THE OCT. MEETING AND THAT HE FELT THAT THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN WERE NOT BEING ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED. HE STATED HE WANTED THE END-PRODUCT OFMINUTES 11-14-95 PG 2 MONITORING TO BE A USEFUL TOOL. COMMITTEE MEMBERS VOICED CONSENSUS THAT IT NEEDED TO REVIEW SCHOOL-BASED MONITORING REPORTS. J.STEWARD GAVE COPIES OF "HARVARD PROJECT ON SCHOOL DESEGREGATION BY SUSAN EATON TO COMMITTEE MEMBERS. MONITORING VISITS SCHEDULED THIS DATE: NOV. I 7 NOV. 16
This project was supported in part by a Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives project grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Council on Library and Information Resoources.

<dcterms_creator>Little Rock School District</dcterms_creator>