Convening a Network

The demographic makeup of the decision-making body responsible for guiding and/or approving action reflects the community at large.

• Network participants, including educators, community members, parents, and students, are engaged in determining what projects, learning questions, and related data are prioritized and valued.
  
• The network supports and/or compensates unpaid contributors, especially those affected directly by inequity.

• The network collaboratively establishes shared norms and periodically revisits and updates the norms to reflect network member feedback.
  
• There are formal communication structures for the network to address feedback from network participants.
  
• The network shares information about processes, decisions, and outcomes in languages and publicly accessible locations that meet the needs of the communities it serves.
  
• The network maintains transparent and clear structures for conflict resolution.

• Individuals and teams engage in intentional self-reflective work to assess and mitigate biases.
  
• The network compensates unpaid contributors, especially those from marginalized groups (including community members, families, and students).
  
• Network participants avoid unnecessary hierarchies and status symbols.

• The network has structures that support regular assessment of the value and impact of the network to support continuous improvement.
  
• Within the network, there are leadership opportunities for those not typically in leadership roles.
  
• The governance of the network is responsive to the needs of the members and evolves over time, as appropriate.
  
• The network has a shared definition of “equity” and structures to hold itself accountable toward advancing the definition in its work.

• Network members have a voice in shaping the evolving work of the network.
  
• The network’s aims, decisions, and actions are grounded in making positive changes for students and families affected directly by inequity.
  
• The network demonstrates an understanding of the ways in which power and systems of oppression impact outcomes for students and families affected by inequity and this understanding is reflected in activities that address these root causes.
  
• The network creates opportunities for those directly affected by inequity to shape the work of the network – local experiences and wisdom, including personal narratives and stories, are integrated into the aims and ongoing practice of the network.

• Network outcomes and the data that inform them are co-determined, meaningful, and accessible to all network participants.
  
• The network regularly reviews data to assess differentiated impact on students and families affected by inequity and to adjust its work accordingly.
  
• Network members and students and families affected by inequity participate in the sharing, publishing, and presenting of the network’s work and impact.