Lodi Unified's Equity Initiative: Time for change

It's time to drop the Equity Initiative.

It was well-meaning, no doubt, this attempt to narrow the achievement gap among students of different ethnic backgrounds.

Yet it has clearly stirred tensions among faculty members and administrators.

And there is little if any clear evidence that it actually works.

Let's start with background.

About four years ago, the district hired a consultant, Pacific Education Group, to help build sensitivity among faculty members. Through frank discussions, video presentations and group exercises about race, it was hoped teachers would become more in tune with Black and Hispanic students. This sensitivity would translate into better test scores.

In recent weeks, we've published columns, news stories, an editorial and many reader comments about this venture.

Having considered all this, here is our take: This is a failed experiment.

Here's why we say that and what we suggest should be done now.

• Neither the district nor the Pacific Education Group has submitted any hard data showing that the initiative has achieved real results.

In fact, a look at other districts where Pacific has consulted shows no consistent pattern of success.

• The Equity Initiative has corroded morale, especially among teachers.

They feel they're being beat up and blamed for factors largely outside their control, such as a lack of parental support.

Many teachers feel they've been branded as racists, and it's easy to see why.

Materials distributed by Pacific assert that the biggest single hurdle to the progress of Hispanic and black students is institutional racism.

Not only is that claim arguable, it is sure to spark defensiveness, not trust.

Pacific's facilitators have repeatedly called for "Courageous Conversations" about race. Those conversations have been one-way discourses, though.

How many employees are going to openly resist or question a program supported by their bosses?

And run the risk of being branded racially insensitive, to boot?

• There has been a lack of candor about some aspects of the initiative.

For instance, Pacific's materials for principals and teachers focus overwhelmingly on black students — though the initiative is ostensibly aimed at helping Hispanic students, as well.

In fact, Hispanics comprise a larger part of Lodi Unified's student population than blacks, 35 percent to 9 percent.

Initiative leaders contend there is a gap between white students and Hispanic and black students. That's true enough.

There is a gap between Asian students and their Hispanic and black classmates, too.

And the largest gap is not between white and black students.

It is between Filipino and black students.

So far, district leaders have not offered to explain why Filipino or other Asian students have achieved success without any structured outreach, a la the Equity Initiative.

By mainly framing the issue as black and white, the district runs the risk of polarizing, not sensitizing.

For all of these reasons, it's time for a new course.

First, trustees must not renew the contract with Pacific Education Group, which is coming up for reconsideration and runs about $60,000 per annum.

Because of the state budget mess, the district must shave about $900,000 from its budget this year. Dropping this contract is a good start.

Second, the district must take a fresh look at how to narrow the achievement gap.

There are many options, from increased tutoring to parental outreach. Teachers and parents should be included as a new plan is crafted.

Finally, district leaders must set a new course based on pragmatism, not political correctness.

Our children deserve no less.

— Lodi News-Sentinel