What is Upper Darby Rising?

  • Upper Darby Rising, developed in 2020, was an initiative in the Upper Darby School District aimed at transforming the educational experience for students and creating a more equitable, inclusive, and forward-thinking learning environment. The program was designed to address a variety of challenges faced by the district, focusing on improving academic outcomes, expanding opportunities for all students, and fostering a positive school culture. As a next step in the school district's Equity Plan. Upper Darby Rising invited all stakeholders in the community to help craft a detailed action agenda for transformative, sustained educational excellence for all students.

     

    The Upper Darby School District recognizes that it plays a vital role in the success of the entire community and serves as a valuable resource for families and community members.  We understand that some of our citizens feel unheard, uninformed, and/or voiceless about the services and programs provided by the Upper Darby School District.  Additionally, the District recognizes that addressing inequities and community divisions with the intent of working towards racial trauma healing is vital to the success of its communities. To that end, the District developed Upper Darby Rising in 2019 as an initiative aimed at addressing a variety of challenges faced by the district by (1) serving as a vehicle to collaboratively solve school-related issues, transforming the educational experience for students and creating a more equitable, inclusive, and forward-thinking learning environment, (2) focusing on improving academic outcomes, expanding opportunities for all students, and fostering a positive school culture, (3) addressing community divisions with the intent of working towards healing is vital to the success of our communities, and (4) promoting the students, teachers, and staff of the Upper Darby School District positively. Through Upper Darby Rising we hope to continue to make the Upper Darby area a great place to work, live, and learn through Equity and Excellence in Education.

UD Rising Promotional Videos

  • Members of the community advisory board for the Upper Darby Rising initiative share their excitement for Upper Darby Rising's series of community forums.

     

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Components of Upper Darby Rising

  • The Upper Darby Rising initiative focuses on several key components to address academic, behavioral, social, and infrastructural needs of students.  While the specific components of the initiative may evolve over time, the initiative consists of the following major aspects:

     

    • Development of a series of community dialogues that invite all stakeholders to help identify key themes, issues and recommendations. These meetings will assist with the development of guidepost principles for taking concrete, inclusive actions and building trust with the District and among the various groups and stakeholders.
    • Development of a detailed action plan to fulfill the District’s commitment to Excellence with Equity
    • Development of a Community Advisory Board who will help to bring the community closer together through proactive problem solving. The members will be a diverse group including parents, residents, educators, business owners, neighbors who do not have children attending our schools, and partners in education, public safety, and community culture. They will represent as much as possible the age, racial, ethnic, social, gender and sexuality, and economic diversity in the District and Township. Other expected outcomes include:
      • Synthesis of the lessons learned from the community dialogues
      • Development of a detailed Excellence with Equity action plan
      • Rigorous monitoring of the implementation of the Plan and 'course adjustments' as needed
      • Support to the District with communication to the community stakeholders about the status of implementation of the Plan and any next steps