Step 5: The Action Plan
I hear, I forget. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.
(Chinese Proverb)
Goals for Step 5:
- A Yellow Flag worker will attend a meeting of the Diversity Committee
- The Diversity Committee will think about the results of the Intercultural Review
- The Diversity Committee will make an Action Plan
- The Diversity Committee will keep meeting to ensure the Action Plan is on track
How do we make an Action Plan?
This is an exciting step for the Diversity Committee. A Yellow Flag worker will come to a meeting of the committee and show them the results of the Intercultural Review. These results will help the committee to decide what they need to do to make the school more intercultural and inclusive. The Yellow Flag worker will help the committee to decide on actions.
What kinds of actions can be in our plan?
Many schools plan special events to celebrate diverse cultures in their schools. These are a great way to celebrate your Yellow Flag year. However, a good plan will include changes and actions that make your school intercultural on a daily basis. You should think about
- How the school looks and feels
- How to help everyone feel they belong
- How diverse cultures can become part of your school culture
- How to help students and teachers understand each other’s culture and values
- How to bring parents and community into school life
- How to keep people safe from racism and discrimination
- How to change school rules to reflect an intercultural ethos
Each school and Diversity Committee will decide on its own actions, taking into account the results of the Intercultural Review.
Ask the Diversity Committee
What important issues have come out of our Intercultural Review?
How do we organise our plan?
Thinking about: who, what, when, where and how – can help you build a good plan. First decide on goals and then think about how they can be achieved. Most importantly, decide on what will be different as a result of your plan. The more detail you can include the better.
| Our Goal | How will we do it? | Who will do it? | When will it take place? | What will be different as a result? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e.g. 1 We will all learn to pronounce our students’ and their parents’ names correctly | Take time with students to get the right pronunciation | Teachers and Students | Jan 2018 | Students will be called by their correct names in school |
| E.g. 2 Make a colourful welcome area in the school reception | Find out how to say welcome in all the languages in our school | 6th class students 2nd year Art students and Ms Mc Donnell |
Feb 2018 | All students and parents will be welcomed to the school in their own language |
Example
Ask yourself the question, are our goals SMART – Specific, Measurable, Agreed upon, Realistic and Time based?
Ask the Diversity Committee
How can we achieve our goals?
Who should we involve in our planning?
The Diversity Committee should take the lead in making the Action Plan. However, it is important to consult with others – in particular the school Principal, Board of Management, teachers, parents and students to ensure everybody is on board. The different reps on the committee can discuss the draft plan with their different groups (e.g. at the Parent Association meeting, at a staff meeting, in the students’ classes) and bring any ideas back to the committee. Then a final plan can be agreed.
Our plan is ready, what now?
Now it is time to start turning the plan into action! Make sure all teachers have a copy of the plan in their classrooms. You could also put a copy of the plan on the Yellow Flag notice board or on the school website.
How will we show we are taking action?
Some actions on your plan will be easy to record through photographs (like events). Other actions will be more difficult to show others. Here are some ways you can keep records of the changes you make
- A classroom wall diary or timeline – teachers and students can write on this when they do something new
- Teachers could use a page in their planner to note small or big changes they make to their classroom culture
- Asking students to do writing or drawing to show new learning or insights
- Simple questionnaires given out after events or special courses
- The Diversity Committee should keep meeting through the year. Bring the plan to every meeting so people can talk about how the school is getting on. If there are problems, bring them to the committee to help find an answer.
