Pupil Nondiscrimination Self-Evaluation Resources

Trends and Patterns in Awarding Scholarships and Other Forms of Recognition

This section asks the district to evaluate the trends and patterns in awarding scholarships and other forms of recognition and achievement. In evaluating this area, districts should determine whether some groups are significantly underrepresented as recipients of awards or other forms of recognition. In addition, the amount of scholarship awards should be reviewed. Are some groups awarded greater amounts of money than other groups?

Numerical data should only be disaggregated and reviewed on the basis of race, sex, national origin and disability. Data from at least the past three years should be reviewed in order to accurately depict any trends or patterns, and any disparity greater than 5% should be considered significant. The district might also consider whether a record system is needed to better provide this information.

In this section, the district should also identify any contributing factors. These factors may include, for example, the criteria used for recipient selection and/or nomination. Questions to consider might be whether the criteria are objective and measurable, whether the criteria are free of bias or stereotyping, and whether procedures are used to ensure that criteria are applied in a nondiscriminatory manner. Another contributing factor may be how the information is disseminated. Thus, questions to consider might include whether all groups are informed of scholarship or award opportunities and whether the information is readily accessible.

See Questions and Answers #4 for information on some of the legal requirements in the awarding of scholarships.

By evaluating this area, school districts will have an opportunity to:

• Ensure that all scholarships and other forms of recognition are awarded in a way that does not discriminate in violation of s.118.13.
• Identify and develop ways to effectively publicize scholarship and award opportunities so that all students and parents/guardians are informed.
• Develop recommendations to ensure that the amount and number of scholarships and other types of awards are equitably distributed.

SUGGESTED QUESTIONS:

The following questions refer to scholarships, awards, and other forms of recognition that school districts or individual schools directly administer. Examples include varsity letters, "Student of the Month" awards, and post-secondary scholarships.

Awards that are directly administered

1. Review data and information on award recipients and applicants for at least the past three years. Identify trends and patterns.
   • To what extent do the applications for scholarships and other awards reflect the overall composition of the student population by race, sex, national origin, or disability?
   • To what extent do the number and amount of scholarships and other awards reflect the overall composition of the student population by race, sex, national origin, or disability?
   • What criteria does the district use in order to ensure or promote a representative distribution? What other efforts does the district undertake to ensure or promote a representative distribution?
2. What procedures are in place to track and analyze applications for and awarding of scholarships and other forms of recognition by protected class status? Do these procedures need to be updated, broadened or otherwise modified to ensure a representative distribution?
3. What criteria are used in selecting recipients? Do they contain bias or stereotyping that may exclude some groups?

The following questions refer to those scholarships, awards, and other forms of recognition that are not sponsored by the school district but require an active role by school officials. Examples of an active role include nominating or writing letters of recommendation.

Other scholarships and awards

4. To what extent do students assisted by school officials for scholarships and other awards reflect the overall composition of the student population by race, sex, national origin and disability?
5. What criteria does the district use in order to ensure or promote a representative distribution? What other efforts does the district undertake to ensure or promote a representative distribution?
6. What annual procedures are in place to track and analyze the role of school officials in assisting students? Do these procedures need to be updated, broadened or otherwise modified to ensure a representative distribution?

Notice

7. How often, and in what settings, are staff, students, and parents/guardians made aware of the district's nondiscrimination policies and practices in the awarding of scholarships and other forms of recognition?
8. How has the district involved parents and community members from diverse backgrounds in developing effective strategies to publicize available awards and explain how to pursue these opportunities?
9. Is there an effective process in place for ensuring that all public information regarding scholarships and other forms of recognition are inclusive and free of bias, stereotyping and discrimination, including language and visuals? Public information includes press releases, brochures, announcements, et cetera.
10. Does the disseminated information clearly explain the scholarship application process? Is the information published in other languages in addition to English? Is the information available in Braille, video, or audio versions?

Recommendations

11. What are your recommendations for increasing distribution of scholarships and other awards to underrepresented groups? How will these recommendations be implemented?

Reporting

Prepare a summary of the status of pupil nondiscrimination and equality of educational opportunity with regard to trends and patterns in awarding scholarships and other forms of recognition and achievement. Include in the summary your findings, analysis, supporting data, and recommendations for improvement. Also include information on how the recommendations will be implemented. Include this summary as part of your report.

For questions about this information, contact Paul Sherman (608) 267-9157

Last updated on 2/22/2008 1:35:57 PM