The Antiracist System Audit is a comprehensive and powerful district-wide review of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) practices and policies based on input from more than 130,000 students, staff, and family members.
We asked MAEC to conduct this review because racial disparities can be seen in almost every area of MCPS including reading levels, participation in higher-level classes, graduation rates, suspension and discipline rates, and staffing. The report provides a comprehensive picture of how race impacts the experiences of students, families, and staff. “Overall, students, families, and staff of color reported having a less satisfactory experience with MCPS than other members of the community.”
The audit evaluated MCPS’s efforts toward achieving racial equity across the district, examining the following six key areas:
We encourage you to read the full report or the executive summary to better understand all the findings and recommendations.
Translations of Executive Summary:
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Translations of Action Plan:
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The Antiracist System Audit report states that while MCPS has many good policies and practices, “the implementation of policies and application of best practices differs greatly from school to school, suggesting that the system is currently fragmented. The report goes on to say that, “the successful planning and implementation of a districtwide racial equity vision requires five elements:"
MCPS should develop a theory of change centered on racial equity that “represents what matters most” to the district community.
Formalized community accountability measures and accountability metrics will provide greater transparency around how the district is enacting its stated racial equity goals.
MCPS needs to provide staff with more systematic and ongoing professional learning opportunities to address emerging racial equity issues in their respective roles.
MCPS must create mechanisms for continuous evaluation, data collection, analysis, and action-planning regarding racial equity.
Relational trust allows different groups within the school community to mutually depend on one another to accomplish shared goals.
Below are some of the steps we have taken since receiving the report on October 11. They are organized into three areas:
All central office, operations, and school-based leaders are participating in required professional learning that began in February. The goal of the professional learning is to create a coherent system-wide approach to antiracism by ensuring all leaders have foundational skills to:
In addition to the district-wide findings, each school received a report with the outcome of their school-specific Audit surveys. The reports include responses from students, staff, and families. Schools will engage in the following process that will culminate with their School Improvement Plan.
Coming Soon
Please attend a community conversation. We are collaborating with community partners, student organizations, and staff associations. This document will continue to be updated. Please continue to check back.
Contact Ashley Rhodes if your organization is interested in hosting a conversation.
Translations of FAQs: español / ä¸ć / français / Português / íęľě´ / tiáşżng Viáťt / á ááá