The Portland Promise, the district’s strategic plan adopted by the Portland Board of Public Education in 2017, has four goals: Achievement, Whole Student and People, which all center on the key fourth goal of Equity. Superintendent Xavier Botana, who joined the district in 2016, spearheaded the development of the Portland Promise and has led the district’s effort toward achieving all those goals.

Progress has not been easy, as is detailed in this article in Kappan, a professional magazine that features articles about K-12 education classroom practice, policy, research, professional issues, and innovations. However, the article says, “by staying the course, engaging the community, and relentlessly centering equity, Xavier has set Portland Public Schools on a course toward continued transformation.” Learn more by reading: Getting the community on the path toward equity