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South St. Paul board approves three‑year ANI plan to close achievement and access gaps
Summary
The South St. Paul School Board unanimously approved a three‑year Achievement and Integration (ANI) plan that sets reading and course‑access targets for BIPOC students and commits to culturally responsive teaching and recruitment strategies tied to state integration funding.
The South St. Paul School Board on March 23 unanimously approved a three‑year Achievement and Integration (ANI) plan required by the state to secure integration funding aimed at narrowing racial and economic disparities in student outcomes.
Natalie Tartlet, who presented the plan, said the district set three targets: increase the percentage of Black, Indigenous and students of color in grades K‑8 meeting grade‑level readiness in reading by five percentage points by 2029; reduce a 15‑percentage‑point gap in IB/CAPS enrollment between BIPOC and white students to 12 percent by 2028‑29; and collect baseline data on teacher use of culturally responsive strategies in 2026‑27 with the goal of increasing student access thereafter.
The plan pairs each goal with concrete strategies, Tartlet said, including expanded use of cultural liaisons to strengthen family‑school connections, targeted professional development on culturally responsive instruction, use of MTSS (multi‑tiered student supports) and strategic outreach to increase BIPOC enrollment in concurrent enrollment and rigorous course work. District staff described youth ambassador leadership programming and student affinity groups as part of the recruitment and retention strategy for IB/CAPS.
Board members discussed what culturally responsive teaching looks like in practice; Tartlet answered that it includes classroom setup that affirms student identities, restorative responses to conflict that consider cultural context, and curriculum choices that allow students to see themselves in course materials.
Chair Heumann called for the vote after the presentation; the motion carried 6‑0. District officials said they will submit the plan to the state and begin collecting the baseline data next school year.
The approval obligates the district to report progress tied to the state funding; board members said they will continue community outreach as the strategies are implemented.
