Equity and Access Archives

teacher helping student with online lesson

Bridging the Trust Gap in AI: Ethical Design and Product Innovation to Revolutionize Classroom Experiences

April 15, 2024

Written by Leah Dozier Walker Executive Vice President of Equity & Inclusion at Waterford.org The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds tremendous promise across the education ecosystem. It has the potential to revolutionize learning experiences, enhance family engagement, and drive academic achievement. Leveraging AI can power differentiated instruction, personalize learning

Planning Inclusive School Winter Holiday Activities

October 31, 2023

Holidays, religious celebrations, and cultural festivities all come into play for students and teachers during the early winter months at school. November and December are a memorable and fun time of year for many students—with plenty of winter school and classroom activities in the time leading up to the school

Inclusive Curriculum in Early Learning: Understanding the Research and Impact

October 4, 2023

A guest post by Paul Martinez Inclusive Curriculum Writer & Editor at Waterford.org Research shows that children who see themselves reflected in an affirming manner in school curriculum are more likely to experience academic success[1][2]. We also know that children flourish when presented with a curriculum that helps them

Supporting Multilingual Learners in Early Elementary Education

September 28, 2023

In the United States, ten percent of all students–roughly five million students total–come from multilingual households. Multilingual students speak more than one language and need individualized instruction to develop literacy and communication skills in all of those languages. In addition, multilingual families need access to resources that help them feel

Family Guide: Early Learning & Development Standards by Grade

September 8, 2023

Back-to-school season is such an exciting time for young learners. It’s the beginning of a year full of new milestones to come, including learning skills, and emotional growth–especially in early education! But it can also be overwhelming for families as they wonder what their child’s early learning and development standards

Building Connections Between Home and School through Family-Teacher Partnerships

August 18, 2023

When families play an active role in their child’s education, students feel more confident and academic achievement improves on a schoolwide level. By giving families a voice in your school, you can partner with them to help students reach their potential. Read on to find out what family-teacher partnerships involve

stock photo of parents and child engaging in parent-teacher meeting in school

CARES: A Framework for Family Engagement in Schools

July 6, 2023

Both educators and families share a common goal: to provide strong support for students! By working together, they can craft a comprehensive support system that promotes success. However, educators sometimes prioritize one-way communication rather than true collaboration—leaving families unsure if they are valued in their child’s classroom and school. To

15 Children’s Books to Celebrate National Arab-American Heritage Month

April 15, 2023

Children benefit from two types of stories in their lives. They need “mirror” stories that reflect their own experiences, which lead to a sense of belonging in their classroom and communities. They also need “window” stories that let them peek into lives and experiences that may be different from their

Nelina Moore, 5, does UPSTART preschool work at home with her mother Deborah Moore in West Valley City on Wednesday, April 8, 2015.

Helping Your Child Know What to Expect in Kindergarten

August 16, 2022

Starting kindergarten can be a big adjustment for both children and their families! Helping your child be fully ready for kindergarten can create a smooth transition to school. Your positive attitude will influence their feelings and get them excited for learning. When your child is prepared for kindergarten, they are

photo of a father and son reading at the library

7 Little-Known Library Resources and Services for Families

July 26, 2022

A library is one of the most valuable resources a community can offer. Children often develop a love of reading as they pick out books for themselves in the library for the first time. Best of all, these books are all available for free to read in the library or

Equity and Access