B6.15 - Approve the Agreement for Technical Services # 20127-ATS-IV with the University of South Florida (USF) for Equity Research (Chief of Schools, Administration and Leadership Development)
The goal of the Wallace Foundation Grant is to expand learning and enrichment for disadvantaged children and the vitality of the arts for everyone. USF is one of Florida’s preeminent research universities, which will be conducting an equity research study focused on the Principal Pipeline. This study will be completed in collaboration with the Chief of Equity and Diversity utilizing the Equity and Diversity Committee members. It aims to provide a landscape survey of the experiences of principals who have been moved into and out of principalship to district-level leadership positions while leading or supporting others to advance equity. The major research question is: How do administrators experience racial and other types of in/equity in the district? The sub-level questions are: a) How are those experiences related to employment? and b) How are those experiences related to leadership? There is a need for administrators in the Tampa Bay area to be able to comprehend the structural inequities implicated in the recent headlines. In addition to comprehending, there is a growing expectation that leadership works to eradicate structural inequities in the educational system.
The intersectional framework to be used by USF centers on race/racism/anti-racism and racial equity along with other areas/types of inequity participants have perpetuated, witnessed, and attempted to improve. This research supports the District’s Racial Equity plan for leadership: Recruiting, employing, supporting, retaining and continuously developing a workforce of racially conscious and culturally competent administrative, instructional and support personnel. Ultimately, the research plan coincides with the district’s Racial Equity Policy (HCPS policy # 2260.03), which aims to identify and address the root causes of racial disparities in student learning, rather than offer only technical solutions.
The lead investigators from USF, Dr. Agosto and Dr. Karanxha, have both lead equity research work, including their most recent studies: “Daughters of discipline: Girls’ and their mothers’ views on the school climate”, The High School Journal; (2015) “Battling inertia in educational leadership: CRT praxis for race conscious dialogue”, Race, Ethnicity and Education; (2014) “The hidden curriculum: Candidate diversity in educational leadership and policy preparation”, Journal of Research on Leadership Education; (2012) “Searching for a needle in a haystack: Indications of social justice among aspiring leaders”, Journal of School Leadership; and (2012) “Teacher leadership: Women (of African descent) enacting social justice”.
USF has served as partners in education within the last 10 years including:
Previous Wallace Grant (2013-15), Leadership pipeline
Educational Specialist Degree (2016), Turnaround leadership
Capstone Projects, Equity-driven - issue focused – contextual
The equity research outcomes will identify where the district is already engaging in work which advances leadership for racial equity. Additionally, USF will share and provide a written report on the research findings including equity-centered leadership recommendations.
* Recruit, support, and retain a highly effective and diverse workforce
* Develop a culture of respect, trust, collaboration and equity
That the Board approve agreement #20127-ATS-IV with USF for equity research under the Wallace Foundation Grant.
Kim Bays, Chief of Schools, Administration and Leadership Development, kim.bays@hcps.net, 813-272-4071
Teresa Campbell, Supervisor, Principal Pipeline, teresa.campbell@hcps.net, 813-272-2011
Funds in the amount of $25,000 will be paid by the Wallace Foundation Grant.