ABSTRACT
A needs assessment offers an opportunity to identify possible strategies for increasing equity across multiple school factors including student enrollment, staffing, curriculum, policies, organizational structure, resources, evaluation, compensation, and even the school's physical spaces (process-oriented). But an equity-based needs assessment goes even further to clarify: who has what needs, existing programs or practices that can be leveraged or expanded to meet those needs, and available resources. Many schools have been successful moving toward equity in one or some of the areas specified in an action plan. Many states have developed educational equity plans that contain most of the elements described in this chapter. While Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) has not completed the full 15-step plan detailed in the chapter, they were able to successfully enact Phase 1 by conducting a needs assessment, setting goals, and drafting an action plan, demonstrating that school planning for equity need not be an all-or-nothing proposition.
