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EAST METRO: Diversity coordinators settling in at schools Page 2 of 2 Mendota Heights-Eagan has many students of color whereas Mahtomedi does not. Yet inter-district deafings allaw for the sharing of teacher training and other resources. The other districts involved in EMID are South St. Paul, Stillwater, Roseville, White Bear Lake, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale, and South Washington. There is a comparable west metro collaborative, too. BOTTOM LINE: ACHIEVEMENT Despite some grumbling about the pf�ilosophy behind diversity specialists and how they are paid Far, many coordinators say the �ammunity is with them in their endeavors. Diversity coordinator Johanna Eager knew the doubts awaiting her when she joined the Roseville staff. The district is in debt. It recently received voter approval to levy an additional $1.7 million in taxes each year for the next five. But in ftoseville schools, one-fifth af the student population is non-white. And, as districts face rising enrollments af students of color and struggle to recruit teachers wha represent the changing �ommunity, the diversity coardinator plays a key role. Teachers must be trained to work with students and families from unfamiliar cultures. 7eaching strategies need to be broadened. IYs all about making schools inclusive and closing the achievement gap, say local diversity coordinators. "Statistically, in suburban school districts, 80 to 90 per�ent of the students pass the MCA (achie�ement tests) the first time," said Lisa McCleod, diversity coordinator for South Washington County schools. "In urban school districts, 70 to 80 percent do nat pass the first time. And when those same students of color ... come into suburban school districts, they stiif don't pass at that same rate as if they were in urban schools so ... we can't totaily say it's economics and it has all to do with housing and so forth. We definitely have to iook further and think about race and race issues." Among the strategies for closing the achievement gap cited by diversity coordinators at a recent round- table: training for teachers, parent outreach, setting high expectations for all students, recruiting teachers of color to be role models for aEI students. That's what they say they are spending the state diversity funds to do. "This is work that had to be done. This money is such a benefit to districts; it's about student achievement," said Roseville's Eager. Natalie Y_ Moore covers north su6urban education. 5he can be reached at nmoore@pioneerpress.com or (651) 228- 5452. :i'. �p�,l piunecrp��:ti� anS xirc �rr� fre �nurrc.. ASI iii;ht- R�;cn�cJ. hFIr3. \ii:\=.1�;lSICIl1i�.L'�Ifll http :l/www. twincities, cozn/mld/pioneerpress/l iving/educ ation143 298 49. htm?temp l ate=co... 10/21/2002