School Stories
Every year, SEE schools create and/or maintain their RPETs, in order to conduct the Youth Participatory Action Research. This process includes building a community survey to identify a prominent issue, as well as the subgroup(s) most impacted.
Below, you can find three examples of YPAR processes from SEE schools in previous years to celebrate the successes of our program!
Strengthening Student-Teacher Relations
Problem Identified: Student-Teacher Relationships were weak.
Subgroup Most Impacted: 9th Graders
Action Plan
Peer Mediation Program: students trained and conducting peer mediation sessions to become more comfortable bringing up issues to adults
RJ Youth Council: weekly meetings to train students and connect with resources from faculty
Teacher Led Meetings: students in the RJ Council attended faculty meetings to share their perspective
Teacher Shadowing Opportunity: allowed teachers to shadow a student's day to build empathy
Progress Check: sent end-of-year survey to track progress
Grading for Equity (& more!)
Problem Idenitified: Students are not equally receiving or getting the opportunity to give feedback
Action Plan
Grading Policy & UASLE Handbooks for 2024-2025: create a consistent policy and framework for all teachers to use
ILT Beginning-of-Year Planning - Aug-Sept.
September Staff PD - announce collaboration updates, goals, and proposed calendar of PD plan aligned to instructional focus
Updated Grading Policy & UASLE Handbooks for 2024-2025
Surveys for progress monitoring
Potential subscription to program to help teacher progress monitor w/ formative & summative assessment (ex: GradeCam)
Hosted two town halls for community updates
Uniting Affinity Groups
Problem Identified: Increase in division between different affinity groups
Subgroup Most Impacted: Black Student Union and Jewish Student Union
Action Plan
Establish the RPET by engaging youth council leaders and launching the initiative school-wide.
Deliver a presentation about the Restorative Practices and Equity Team (RPET) and its activities (youth organizing, peer mediation, etc.) to all community members, including crews, parents, and staff
Ensure that staff and students receive Tier 1 and peer mediation training.