AIMing for Inclusion with the NAIS Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism
NAIS People of Color Conference 2012
Houston, Texas
Sharoni Little, Monique Sherman, & Chris Thinnes
3. About Us
SHARONI LITTLE
slittle@marshall.usc.edu
MONIQUE SHERMAN
msherman@curtisschool.org | @MoniqueRenee21
CHRIS THINNES
cthinnes@curtisschool.org | @CurtisCFEE
4.
5. A.I.M. | FAQ
MORE INFORMATION
INFORMATION FROM NAIS ON A.I.M.: cfee.me/AIMinfo
RESOURCES FROM THIS WORKSHOP: cfee.me/AIMpres
6. A.I.M. | FAQ
What is A.I.M.?
Comprehensive assessment tool
Engages your school community
Evaluating inclusivity and multiculturalism
Delivers tangible results
Strategically plan for building and sustaining inclusive
independent school communities.
7. A.I.M. | FAQ
How can you use AIM?
Stand-alone exercise orchestrated by committee
Part of a larger self-study for accreditation purposes
Data-gathering element for strategic planning
8. A.I.M. | FAQ
How can A.I.M. help schools?
Determine progress in meeting goals
Identify current initiatives
Encourage participation of all groups
Facilitate meaningful dialogue
Provide benchmarking opportunities
Support a positive community experience
9. A.I.M. | FAQ
How does AIM work?
Comprehensive assessment process
Takes up to one year to complete
Commitment of the entire school community
Leads to real, tangible data on where your school stands and
how it can become more inclusive.
Two parts: Self-Assessment and Online Climate Survey.
10. Key Benefits
RESET CULTURE OF DIVERSITY WORK
APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY APPROACH
DEMOCRATIZED VOICE OF CHANGE
DATA THAT CAN BE LEVERAGED
12. Activity 1
SMALL GROUPS (4-6)
FACILITATOR
DISCUSS & REPORT BACK
13. Activity 1
TOPIC 1
Describe your school's strategies
for promoting school-wide understanding
of diversity, inclusivity, and/or multiculturalism
philosophy, policies, and vision.
14. Activity 1
TOPIC 2
How does the school support
non-teaching administrative and support staff
in achieving a sense of being a
fully accepted, affirmed, and empowered
member of the school community?
15. A.I.M.
SELF-ASSESSMENT
Discovery Committees:
School governance and leadership
Policy and administration
Admissions, including financial aid
Faculty/Teacher
Teaching and learning
Student life
School publications and environment
Staff involvement and life
Parent/guardian involvement
Alumni involvement and investment
16. A.I.M.
SELF-ASSESSMENT
NAIS 'Big Eight' Cultural Identifiers:
Ability
Age
Ethnicity
Gender
Race
Religion
Sexual Orientation
Socioeconomic Status
17. A.I.M.
SELF-ASSESSMENT
Our Strategic Steps:
DISCOVERY GROUP LEADERSHIP
DISCOVERY GROUP FACILIATION
20. Activity 2
PROMPTS
A. The school takes action to create a diverse
enrollment.
B. Athletic programs at this school provide an
opportunity for all students to feel included.
C. Diversity in the curriculum is important to
excellence in the education provided by the school.
D. Faculty and administrators reflect the diversity of
the student body.
21. A.I.M.
CLIMATE SURVEY
AIM Online Climate Survey
Engages your community with confidential online survey
Constituency groups' feedback on climate and culture
AIM delivers summarized survey results
Easy-to-digest format for planning, training, programming
30. "INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITIES"
from Curtis School's AIM Report
New Diversity Mission Statement
Curtis School is committed to fostering a diverse
community of students, employees, and families; to
supporting an inclusive environment for all children
and adults; to developing the cross-cultural
competency of all its constituents; and to valuing
the influence of a wide range of experiences and
backgrounds in our curriculum, programs, and
interactions as members of a learning community.