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Superintendent: midyear LCAP and equity audit show gaps in middle‑school course access
Summary
The Sunnyvale superintendent presented a midyear Local Control and Accountability Plan review and preliminary Orenda equity findings showing low‑income and English‑learner students are underrepresented in advanced math and leadership courses at middle schools; the board agreed to form a committee and pilots to expand access.
Superintendent Doctor Crosswayte delivered a midyear update on the district's Local Control and Accountability Plan and an early equity analysis by Orenda, telling trustees the review shows "gaps, over a 100 courses at each of our schools where there were gaps of over 20%" and that low‑income and English learners are underrepresented in advanced math and leadership programs.
Crosswayte said the district will pilot new elementary ELA materials, revisit the ELD framework, and create a committee that includes parents, students and staff to analyze course access and expenditures. "We're going to be reviewing placements, advanced course criteria, especially in those advanced math classes," he said, and suggested schedule changes and adding sections rather than taking seats from current students to increase representation.
Trustees pressed for detail on implementation: how master schedules will expand access, whether pilots will be limited to elementary this year, and how students with IEPs will be supported. Crosswayte said middle schools already have materials and the pilot at the elementary level will inform broader changes, adding the district plans "professional development, revisiting our structures and asking ourselves, are we on compliance or are we really about supporting kids?"
The presentation also outlined MTSS (multi‑tiered systems of support) expansion and more frequent progress monitoring "about every 5 to 6 weeks" to inform instruction and identify students needing tier‑2 or tier‑3 supports. Trustees and staff agreed to form the described committee and involve families from elementary and middle schools during the redesign process.
The superintendent flagged budget constraints during the discussion but noted one near‑term option being explored: an early‑retirement incentive the district estimates could yield "about $2,500,000 or more." He said details would be provided at a future meeting.
