Beverly schools outline equity, attendance and civics goals in district improvement update

Beverly Public Schools leaders on Wednesday told a joint meeting of the Beverly City Council and the Beverly School Committee that the district will carry forward its existing three‑year improvement plan, with a continued focus on equity, chronic absenteeism, high‑quality professional development, expanded civics instruction and climate education.

The update, presented by Dr. Suzanne Choroczek and Dr. Dorothy Flaherty, summarized work the district says it has completed in year two of the plan and described items that will continue into the plan’s third year. The presenters said the district’s emphasis remains moving students and staff from “diversity” to “belonging” and then toward “inclusion” and “equity.”

The district framed equity work around a DBIE (diversity, belonging, inclusion, equity) continuum developed with consultant Dr. Amante Jackson. "Belonging is really where you get to the…