Culturally Responsive Training
1.1 Mandatory cultural competency training for all staff In-work · 1/2 pts
District officials confirmed unconscious-bias/equity training is offered and embedded into PD, but no evidence it is mandatory for all staff district-wide. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/8022379
1.2 Mentorship programs for culturally diverse staff In-work · 1/2 pts
The Teacher Residency program is mentor-based and explicitly recruits a diverse cohort (82% residents of color per Learning Policy Institute) with DEI conversations built in, but it targets new teacher candidates rather than a general mentorship program for existing diverse staff. https://www.psusd.us/about-psusd/career-opportunities/become-a-teacher
1.3 Culturally relevant PD resources in staff learning Implemented · 2/2 pts
PSUSD has a dedicated Diversity & Racial Equity department and hosts an annual (3rd annual as of 2024) districtwide conference for staff and community on equitable teaching practices and addressing bias. https://kesq.com/news/2024/08/12/palm-springs-unified-school-district-hosts-diversity-racial-equity-conference/
1.4 Regular feedback/measurement on training effectiveness Not Implemented · 0/2 pts
No public documentation was found showing regular measurement or feedback specifically on the effectiveness of cultural competency trainings.
Clear & Consistent Policies
2.1 Student code of conduct (clear expectations) Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district publishes school student/family handbooks with conduct expectations and disciplinary consequences, and maintains BP 5144 which directs staff to communicate clear, consistent expectations and consequences. https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1758251867/psusdus/nepg4xhiel1br9speoxa/PSHS_StudentFamilyHandbook.pdf ; http://www.gamutonline.net/district/palmsprings/displayPolicy/436693/5
2.2 Regular policy reviews/updates Implemented · 2/2 pts
The Board formally approved revisions to policies on discipline, suspension/expulsion due process, and nondiscrimination in Feb. 2025, indicating an active policy review cycle. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6311250/California/School-Districts/Palm-Springs-Unified/Votes-at-a-glance-Palm-Springs-Unified-board-approves-proclamations-policy-revisions-contracts-and-personnel-actions
2.3 Staff training on consistent application In-work · 1/2 pts
The Behavior Support Team implements MTSS/PBIS with tiered strategies districtwide, implying some staff training on consistent behavior response, but no explicit documentation of formal training on consistent discipline-policy application was found. https://www.psusd.us/Page/7738
2.4 Centralized documentation of incidents/outcomes Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district uses the Synergy Discipline module as a centralized data system for documenting discipline incidents. https://www.psusd.us/departments/t/technology/data-systems/synergy-support/synergy-guides/synergy-discipline-module
Restorative Justice Practices
3.1 Restorative circles/conferences to repair harm Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district's Behavior Support Team explicitly implements Restorative Practices (RP) across Tiers 1-3 as part of its MTSS framework districtwide. https://www.psusd.us/Page/7738
3.2 Staff training in restorative practices In-work · 1/2 pts
Restorative practices are a stated districtwide strategy implemented by the Behavior Support Team, but a June 2026 board meeting included staff testimony that restorative practices they requested were "not used," suggesting inconsistent training/application rather than confirmed mandatory staff training. https://www.psusd.us/Page/7738 ; https://citizenportal.ai/articles/8154075
3.3 Curriculum integrates conflict-resolution skills In-work · 1/2 pts
SEL is a stated component of the district's tiered behavior support system and is measured via Panorama surveys, but a distinct conflict-resolution curriculum was not documented. https://www.psusd.us/Page/7738 ; https://www.panoramaed.com/blog/success-story-palm-springs-unified-school-district
3.4 Peer mediation program Not Implemented · 0/2 pts
No public documentation of a PSUSD-specific peer mediation program was found.
Bias Awareness & Mitigation
4.1 Implicit bias training for staff In-work · 1/2 pts
A district Title IX/compliance director confirmed unconscious-bias training is offered and equity work is embedded in PD, but there is no confirmation this is mandatory for all staff. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/8022379
4.2 Processes to review discipline data for disparities Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district's LCAP process explicitly reports disaggregated outcomes by subgroup (e.g., English learners, students with disabilities, African American students exiting differentiated assistance) and allocates equity multiplier funds based on this data. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6204007
4.3 Cultural competence checks in hiring Not Implemented · 0/2 pts
No public documentation was found describing a formal cultural-competence check specifically embedded in hiring processes, beyond a general nondiscrimination/inclusion statement in job postings.
4.4 Diverse perspectives & materials in curriculum Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district maintains a page on the FAIR Act/Inclusive Curriculum and the Board approved an AP African American Studies course in Feb. 2025 to align with U.S. history requirements. https://www.psusd.us/students-parents/academic-support-services/curriculum-instruction/fair-act ; https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6327756
Culturally Relevant Curriculum
5.1 Curriculum materials reflect student backgrounds Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district has an explicit FAIR Act inclusive curriculum page and approved new coursework (AP African American Studies) reflecting diverse student backgrounds. https://www.psusd.us/students-parents/academic-support-services/curriculum-instruction/fair-act
5.2 Teacher PD on integrating diverse perspectives In-work · 1/2 pts
The annual district conference includes sessions on equitable teaching practices for teachers, but ongoing/mandatory PD specifically on integrating diverse perspectives district-wide was not confirmed. https://kesq.com/news/2024/08/12/palm-springs-unified-school-district-hosts-diversity-racial-equity-conference/
5.3 Community collaboration for supplemental resources In-work · 1/2 pts
The district's annual equity conference and CTE business advisory meetings involve community members providing input, but this is not confirmed as a systematic process for supplementing curriculum specifically. https://www.psusd.us/Page/2441
5.4 Culturally specific courses/electives Implemented · 2/2 pts
The Board approved a course description for AP African American Studies in Feb. 2025, directing staff to align it with graduation requirements by 2026-27. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6327756
Community Engagement & Collaboration
6.1 Regular meetings with parents & community leaders Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district hosts multiple recurring parent/community advisory bodies including the African American Parent Advisory Council, a newly launched Native American Parent Advisory Council, DELAC, and SEPAC with regular scheduled meetings. https://www.psusd.us/domain/3372 ; https://news.yahoo.com/palm-springs-unified-launches-native-214812975.html
6.2 Partnerships with local orgs for student/family support Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district partners with multiple local and regional organizations, including Daybreak Health for mental health, Riverside University Health System and Palm Springs Community Health Center for health services, and Think Together for afterschool academic support. https://www.daybreakhealth.com/resources/palm-springs-unified-school-district ; https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6384352
6.3 Advisory committees with community representation Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district maintains numerous standing advisory committees with community representation, including AAPAC, DELAC, SEPAC, a new Native American Parent Advisory Council, and a Citizens' Oversight Committee. https://www.psusd.us/domain/3372 ; https://www.psusd.us/domain/115
6.4 Outreach to ensure all families are informed/involved Implemented · 2/2 pts
The Family Engagement Center provides bilingual resources and support for parent leadership groups (PTA, SEPAC, LPAC, LGBTQ, DELAC, PIA, LCAP) intended to reach all families. https://www.psusd.us/Page/65
Professional Development on Equity & Inclusion
7.1 Ongoing anti-bias/equity training In-work · 1/2 pts
The district runs an annual (recurring, at least 3 years running) equity conference and has a dedicated department, suggesting ongoing but not necessarily continuous/mandatory anti-bias training for all staff. https://kesq.com/news/2024/08/12/palm-springs-unified-school-district-hosts-diversity-racial-equity-conference/
7.2 Workshops on culturally responsive teaching Implemented · 2/2 pts
The conference explicitly offers sessions aimed at equitable teaching practices, addressing bias, and fostering inclusive environments for teachers. https://kesq.com/news/2024/08/12/palm-springs-unified-school-district-hosts-diversity-racial-equity-conference/
7.3 Equity topics in staff meetings/PD In-work · 1/2 pts
The district has dedicated Professional Development and Diversity & Racial Equity departments, and officials describe embedding equity work into PD, but explicit documentation of equity being a standing agenda item at regular staff meetings was not found. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/8022379
7.4 Participation in equity-focused conferences Implemented · 2/2 pts
PSUSD itself organizes and hosts a public, districtwide diversity and racial equity conference annually, which staff participate in alongside outside equity consultants. https://kesq.com/news/2024/08/12/palm-springs-unified-school-district-hosts-diversity-racial-equity-conference/
Mental Health & Trauma-Informed Practices
8.1 Collaboration with mental-health professionals Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district's Mental Health Services department sends clinicians throughout the district and partners with Daybreak Health and the Riverside County Office of Education's Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program for expanded professional mental-health collaboration. https://www.psusd.us/departments/m/mental-health-services ; https://www.rcoe.us/student-supports/health-services/behavioral-health-services/grants/
8.2 Safe, supportive spaces (mindfulness/sensory) Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district operates physical Wellness Centers at school sites (e.g., Desert Hot Springs HS) offering individual counseling and coping strategies, plus a districtwide Virtual Calming Room for mindfulness/relaxation. https://www.psusd.us/Page/9978 ; https://www.psusd.us/DHSHS-wellness-center
8.3 Trauma-informed staff training In-work · 1/2 pts
The tiered MTSS/SEL/mental-health support framework implies trauma-informed elements, but no explicit documentation of formal trauma-informed staff training curriculum was found. https://www.psusd.us/Page/7738
8.4 Partnerships to expand mental-health services Implemented · 2/2 pts
PSUSD participates in the state's CYBHI Fee Schedule program to expand free mental health services, and partners with Daybreak Health and RCOE's SBHIP grant (with IEHP and Molina Healthcare) to expand behavioral health access. https://cybhi.chhs.ca.gov/?p=5179 ; https://www.rcoe.us/student-supports/health-services/behavioral-health-services/grants/
Data Collection & Analysis
9.1 Disaggregated discipline data system Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district uses the Synergy Discipline module for incident tracking, feeding into the California School Dashboard and its Local Accountability Report which disaggregates suspension data by subgroup. https://www.psusd.us/departments/t/technology/data-systems/synergy-support/synergy-guides/synergy-discipline-module
9.2 Regular audits of discipline practices Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district produces an annual Local Accountability Report detailing suspension rates and dashboard data, alongside annual LCAP updates reviewing discipline-related outcomes. https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1775772828/psusdus/fcsgufywks9w6t5t1cfr/AccountabityReport2026English.pdf
9.3 Data-informed interventions/adjustments Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district's LCAP explicitly ties data (student group performance, dashboard status) to allocation of equity multiplier funds and targeted interventions such as MTSS academic supports. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/8154073
9.4 Transparent reporting to stakeholders Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district presents detailed LCAP and dashboard updates publicly to the Board with community input sessions, and publishes annual accountability reports. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/8154073 ; https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6204007
Student Voice & Leadership
10.1 Student advisory councils/leadership groups Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district has launched a Superintendent's Student Advisory Committee and maintains Student Board of Education members representing each of its five high schools. https://www.psusd.us/ ; https://www.psusd.us/domain/115
10.2 Student feedback informs policy/procedures Implemented · 2/2 pts
PSUSD's LCAP process incorporates substantial student survey participation (thousands of respondents) via Panorama, which is explicitly used to inform district decisions and LCAP goals. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6204007 ; https://www.panoramaed.com/blog/success-story-palm-springs-unified-school-district
10.3 Students facilitate restorative processes Not Implemented · 0/2 pts
No public documentation was found indicating students formally facilitate restorative justice processes (e.g., as trained peer circle-keepers) in PSUSD.
10.4 Student-led peer education In-work · 1/2 pts
Student-led Rainbow Clubs and secondary alliances exist at school sites, which involve some peer-led engagement, but a broader formal student-led peer education program was not confirmed. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/8022379
Equitable Access to Support Services
11.1 Counseling & mental-health access for all Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district provides mental health clinicians and counseling access districtwide through its Mental Health Services department and school-based Wellness Centers. https://www.psusd.us/departments/m/mental-health-services
11.2 Targeted academic support (e.g., tutoring) Implemented · 2/2 pts
PSUSD partners with Carnegie Learning to provide free tutoring in math/ELA for TK-12 and with Think Together for afterschool academic support, reporting hundreds of unique participants. https://www.psusd.us/departments/e/expanded-learning/tutoring ; https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6020919
11.3 Community partnerships expand services Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district partners with multiple outside health and mental-health organizations (RUHS, Palm Springs Community Health Center, Daybreak, IEHP) to expand student services. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6384352
11.4 Systems to remove access barriers Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district has a health navigator program with IEHP to help families access specialists/transportation, and provides multilingual Medi-Cal application resources to reduce access barriers. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6384352 ; https://www.psusd.us/departments/m/mental-health-services/ways-to-apply-for-medi-cal
Continuous Evaluation & Improvement
12.1 Standing committee/task force for discipline equity In-work · 1/2 pts
The district's Behavior Support Team functions as a standing team addressing school climate/discipline via MTSS, but it is not explicitly framed as a discipline-equity task force; a separate dedicated equity task force was not confirmed. https://www.psusd.us/Page/7738
12.2 Surveys/focus groups (students, families, staff) Implemented · 2/2 pts
PSUSD has partnered with Panorama Education for four+ years to run annual climate/SEL surveys of students, families, and staff, and uses follow-up focus groups to dig deeper into survey results. https://www.panoramaed.com/blog/success-story-palm-springs-unified-school-district
12.3 Benchmarking vs. state/national comparators Implemented · 2/2 pts
The district's data is reported through the California School Dashboard for state comparison, and Panorama surveys allow benchmarking against national data. https://www.caschooldashboard.org/reports/33671730000000/2018 ; https://www.panoramaed.com/products/surveys/school-climate-survey
12.4 PD & reflective practice culture In-work · 1/2 pts
The district maintains dedicated PD and equity departments supporting a reflective practice culture, but comprehensive documentation of a formal continuous-improvement PD cycle tied specifically to discipline equity was not found.
Extra Credit
EC1 District-specific parent advisory councils tailored to specific cultural communities, including the African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) and a newly launched Native American Parent Advisory Council co-founded with district equity staff to elevate Indigenous student voice. Implemented · 2/2 pts
https://www.psusd.us/domain/3372 ; https://news.yahoo.com/palm-springs-unified-launches-native-214812975.html
EC2 District-run Teacher Residency Program (with Alder Graduate School of Education) that embeds "critical conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion" into new-teacher preparation and has driven a sharp rise in resident diversity. Implemented · 2/2 pts
https://www.psusd.us/about-psusd/career-opportunities/become-a-teacher
EC3 Participation in the state's CYBHI Fee Schedule program, allowing PSUSD to bill managed care plans for on-campus mental health services (consultations, substance-use counseling, universal screenings), expanding free access to care. Implemented · 2/2 pts
https://cybhi.chhs.ca.gov/?p=5179
EC4 Board-adopted district-wide resolution/pledge to eliminate hate speech (Feb. 2025), pairing an anti-hate-speech initiative with policy strengthening, staff training, student involvement, and monitoring mechanisms. Implemented · 2/2 pts
https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6311250
EC5 Health Services partnerships bringing on-campus clinical care (Riverside University Health System referrals, Palm Springs Community Health Center clinical services, IEHP health navigator, Big Smiles mobile dental) to reduce absenteeism tied to health barriers. In-work · 1/2 pts
https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6384352
