Clerc Center Equity Plan

Dismantling Systemic Racism

Organization Wide Values and Statements of Anti-Racism

Phase 1: Fall 2020

  • Through an equity lens and using an inclusive process, review and redesign:
    • Recruitment and retention practices 
    • Administrative leave practices 
    • Employee discipline practices
    • Hiring timelines and communications
    • “Probationary” period
  • Engage Social Justice Committees in redesign of HR processes and in shaping the posting and position design for the hiring of the HR Coordinator position 
  • Host listening sessions with BIPOC employees and former employees
  • Formalize Social Justice positions with stipend to ensure the work is systemic and continues

Phase 2: Spring 2021

  • Conduct comprehensive job description and certification/licensure review (align with Gallaudet HR Redesign); include social justice and equity competencies in all job descriptions
  • Create employee demographic dashboard

Phase 3: Summer/Fall 2021

  • Review progress and establish year two of Equity Plan
  • Gallaudet HR Redesign Priority #1

Employee Support

Phase 1: Fall 2020

  • Design and implement Phase 1 of interim mentorship program, including researching training for mentors
  • Redesign temporary employee positions to support growth
  • Invest in spaces to support BIPOC employees including support groups/affinity groups

Phase 2: Spring 2021

  • Design robust mentorship and “Grow our Own” programs for all position levels within the organization
  • Explore “Career Ladder” options in all areas of the organization to build skills and resumes for future promotion
  • Review Employee Relations Council and consider alignment/partnership with social justice committees and/or IE Ambassadors; Formalize ERC with bylaws and University recognition as shared governance group

Phase 3: Summer/Fall 2021

  • Review progress and establish year two of Equity plan

Student Support

Phase 1: Fall 2020

  • Review/Revise class placement process
  • Review/Revise IEP attendance practices
  • Establish working group: Student Code of Conduct and student discipline referrals
  • Determine feasibility/implement virtual tutoring center
  • Establish year round schedule for guest speakers and presenters to celebrate heritage months and successes of BIPOC employees and families.
  • Implement active recruitment strategies and program design for BIPOC students for academic teams based on plans developed by Social Justice Committees in AY 2019-2020 – Math Competition, BOTB, Academic Bowl, etc. 
  • Be proactive in identifying high and low performing students by analyzing assessment data and develop an appropriate intervention to meet their needs; Establish a process for parents or teachers/staff to submit a concern or observation
  • Identify support groups and/or affinity groups desired by students and establish (e.g. LGBTQIA, Asian Deaf, etc.)

Phase 2: Spring 2021

  • Review access issues with After School Program due to transportation availability
  • Develop de-escalation procedures for situations involving law enforcement/DPS

Phase 3: Summer/Fall 2021

  • Explore partnerships with Gallaudet’s Black Student Union, Latino Student Union, etc. to improve represntation in the classroom and mentorship for students (NOTE: Delayed due to COVID/remote instruction)
  • Review progress and establish year two of Equity plan

About the Clerc Center

The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University is a federally funded center with exemplary elementary and secondary education programs for deaf and hard of hearing students and is tasked with developing and disseminating innovative curricula, instructional techniques, and products nationwide while providing information, training, and technical assistance for parents and professionals to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing students from birth to age 21.

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