As the Superintendent of the Allentown School District, I feel compelled to address the recent coverage that questioned our District’s commitment to equity and social justice. The Equity and Inclusivity Audit commissioned by The Howard Group was a deliberate, proactive action, requested by the district, as a reflection of our dedication to transparency and improvement.
While the findings of a recent audit have outlined areas we need to improve, I want to assure our community that we are actively addressing the findings in alignment with our newly adopted Strategic Plan Lighting the Way - A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030. Our commitment to equity and access is rooted in the tenets of our District’s equity policy and is integrated into our newly identified priorities. Each priority area contains an equity commitment, which underscores its importance.
On October 12, 2023, our School Board of Directors approved The Howard Group to conduct an Equity and Inclusivity Audit as part of an action plan required by the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Resolution Agreement. The Allentown School District initiated the audit as part of our commitment to fostering a culture of equity and inclusion. In today’s educational landscape, audits like these are essential tools in long-term continuous improvement. They allow us to confront inequities head-on and develop targeted strategies that meet the needs of our diverse student population. The findings, which were made public in August, have provided us with invaluable insights and a clear path forward.
A Roadmap for Positive Change
Like many urban school districts, Allentown has to navigate a complex landscape of historical inequities, resource limitations, and ever-evolving societal needs. The report highlighted the need for stable leadership and noted that frequent turnover in the Superintendent’s position has contributed to the perception of a disconnect between initiatives and efforts within the District.
I am here to provide stability, and these challenges are not insurmountable, but an opportunity for growth. This work cannot be done overnight, and I recognize that lasting change requires consistent leadership, trust, and time.
Progress We Have Made: Laying the Foundation for Equity
During my tenure, we have been intentional in looking at all aspects of our organization and making strides toward combating the obstacles that have impeded our progress. Since the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, we have examined internal structures and have already seen some improvements:
Targeted Resource Allocation: We have adjusted how we allocate resources to prioritize schools and students with the greatest needs, hiring additional staff, and expanding access to advanced courses for our students.
Addressing Disproportionality in Discipline: By shifting toward restorative justice practices, we have reduced Out-of-School Suspensions by 43%, and Alternative to Suspension incidents have decreased by 16%. These are concrete steps toward closing gaps and creating a more supportive school environment for all students.
Inclusive Curriculum and Culturally Responsive Teaching: Our investment in culturally responsive curricula ensures that our students see themselves reflected in their learning and feel supported by their educators.
Creation of the Equity Fellows: The District has partnered with the United Way to create an Equity Fellowship to create strategies to promote a more equitable distribution of resources.
The Path Forward: Accountability and Action
Lighting the Way ensures that this work is not siloed but rather woven into every aspect of our educational approach. Our priorities include building on the recommendations, creating district-wide standardized policies on inclusion and redefining success metrics to include non-academic factors that address the whole child.
The work of building an equitable school district requires ongoing effort, continuous reflection, bold leadership, collaboration with our community, and perhaps most importantly, time.
We invite our families, staff and community members to join us as we reimagine the schooling experience in Allentown. Together, we can collaborate with our elected officials, corporate partners and advocates to turn the findings of this audit into real, sustainable continuous improvement. We all play a role in ensuring that Allentown’s children, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to a high-quality education.
Let us focus on what matters most: creating an educational environment that lifts up and recognizes the potential of all students we have the privilege to serve. We get better together, and all of our strengths are needed! As a community, let us continue to light the way for our children.
Dr. Carol D. Birks is the Superintendent/Chief Executive Officer of the Allentown School District and can be contacted at email@example.com.