Gateway School District explores methods toward racial equity in schools

In an effort to close the achievement gap between its black and white students, Gateway School District officials are focusing on ideas like instructional and environmental inclusion and teaching about cultural figures and historical struggles.

Those efforts, as well as a proposed mentoring program for fifth- through eighth-graders, were among the topics discussed Jan. 30 at a community meeting at the high school.

“Not having equity is not an option,” said Epryl King, Evergreen Elementary second-grade teacher and president of the nonprofit Raising Achievement in Monroeville and Pitcairn.

At least 40 people were in attendance, including district staffers, parents and students.

Participants were invited to write down their thoughts and suggestions for a proposed equity policy, and to join an email list for updates on related district actions.

“The important part about tonight is that all of you are here, because now’s the time to jump in,” said assistant Superintendent Dennis Chakey, leader of the district’s equity committee. “We can’t accomplish anything without you being here. That’s why we’re so excited about this first step.”

King and Gateway Title I reading specialist Janet Niethamer discussed culturally responsive teaching practices, as well as how students need to learn skills and content from diverse perspectives and how including cultural figures build personal character traits.

A game in which people determined whether a certain phrase or sentence was written by William Shakespeare or multi-Grammy award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, and a lesson on how the late Austrian composer Johan Strauss’ three-quarter time was used by singer and pianist Alicia Keys were among their examples of how teachers were engaging students.

There are 3,342 students enrolled at Gateway School District, according to state data. Of those students, 53.7% are white and 25.2% are black. Another 8.3% are Asian and 8.2% are two or more races. Around 4.3% are Hispanic.

The issue of closing the achievement gap between black and white students has historically been a contentious one. Many spoke out against the district’s decision to hire a part-time equity director in September 2017, and the NAACP threatened legal action. The group wanted a full-time director.

Phillip Woods — who at the time worked also as a West Mifflin Area school administrator — was hired as part of the district’s newly formed $135,000 program designed to bridge the achievement gap. The aim was to bring black students’ test scores to levels achieved by their white peers.

The program involved Evergreen and Cleveland Steward elementary schools and included consultants, instructional coaching and tutoring. Every school now has an equity team, and representatives of those teams are part of the district’s main committee.

Some high school students said they have noticed a change since things started rolling last school year.

“Recently, we’ve gotten a new curriculum course: African-American history,” said junior Lance Young, who is also director of communications for the Black Student Union. “I feel that’s kind of helpful. … Teachers are more inclusive. They (call) on other kids and don’t stick to one group of kids each time. I feel as though the teachers are very nice. They’re helpful and fair with everyone.”

Black Student Union President and senior Erika Jackson said she hopes Gateway continues its equity efforts.

“I believe that we’re starting to see some changes,” she said. “I don’t think it’s the full effect. It’s a work in progress. We’re not going to see change overnight. I’m hoping that in a few years we’ll be more evolved than we are now. I feel it’s a step in the right direction … I feel like in order to create an inclusive school district that we need to look into the new students coming in. I feel we should put in place aspects that help everyone grow together.”

Both students said they’ve been involved in at least one equity committee meeting. The next meeting is planned for February. The next public meeting has not been scheduled.

Parent Ennad Murrell-Merriweather was at the recent event with her sons Amar, 10, and Amahl, 6. The elder brother is in fifth grade, the younger in first.

She said she was impressed by the presentations, and her children love coming to school.

“I thought it was really transparent,” Murrell-Merriweather said. “It was great that they shared this information with the community (and) bringing us in. … I know that they’re in a program where they love their teachers. They’re always excited about school. It’s enriching their programs. That thrills me because they’re excited about school every day.

“It will be interesting to see, after the plan that’s presented today, what it will look like during spring time. They’re having more meetings about it, especially since they just started with a new curriculum. Especially next year to see a switch in curriculum for both elementary school and the middle school. I’m excited to see that.”

More information about Gateway School District activities is available at gatewayk12.org.