Your Access is NOT My Access

We have to discuss the type of access students are receiving in each school district throughout our country. 

In my school district, we are constantly sharing student achievement data and creating school improvement plans to address the varying needs. This a good thing. We should be doing that. However, something happens when review individual schools within the system. It's clear some schools receive more access than others. Why?

This leads me to my main question. No judgement! No need to hide how good or how terrible you might have it at your school... just share. In your opinion, what contributes to your students' success? 

Image Created via Google Slides by me

As math educator, my mind jumps to the following follow-up questions and topics:

• Calculators: Do the student tend to have their own calculators? Does your school have a loaner program? Does every student have access to a calculator in class? Do your students have to share calculators? 
• Devices: Do your students have access to their own personal or assigned device in- and outside the school building? 
• Additional Support: How many students have access to a tutor outside of the school building? How many students attend math clubs for support within the school? How many students attend after-school math academies like Kumon or Mathnasium? How involved is your PTA?
• By-the-Book: Do you (mostly/always) teach based on the curriculum guidance? Do you (mostly/always) teach based on other items you've created or found over time? Do you let students use scaffolds no matter the testing requirement (eg. covering/not covering posters in the room, providing reference sheets, providing calculators on non-calculator sections, etc)?

It's so interesting working in different schools and seeing the difference in access for staff and students. In some cases, it's night and day. I wonder what would happen if all schools within the district spread the wealth evenly. That's what we're here for right? All students in the district are our students: my students are also your students. 

Pictured: Dr. MLK Jr Quote (Image taken from: @p2phelps Twitter)

I'd love to hear multiple perspectives and answers to these questions. What are your thoughts? How do you answer the questions? What did I miss?Change my mind or echo my voice.