VSBA Model Equity Policy

From https://www.vtvsba.org/copy-of-model-policy-manual, linked document C-29.

CODE C29 (Recommended Policy)

DISTRICT EQUITY POLICY

The _ School District (District) is committed to the success of every student, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, family economics, class, geography, ability, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or initial proficiencies. The ____ School Board (Board) holds itself and all District and school-site decision-makers, faculty, and support staff accountable for building a District-wide commitment to equity. The District will incorporate principles of equity within all policies, programs, operations, practices, and resource allocations.

Definitions

Equity: Each student receives the resources and educational opportunities they need to learn and thrive.

• Equity means that a student’s success is not predicted nor predetermined by characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, family economics, class, geography, ability, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or initial proficiencies.
• Equity means that every school provides and every student has access to high quality culturally responsive curriculum, programs, teachers and administrators, extracurricular activities and support services to meet the needs of each and every student.
• Equity goes beyond formal equality where all students are treated the same. Achieving equity may require an unequal distribution of resources and services.
• Equity involves acknowledging and disrupting inequitable practices, acknowledging biases, employing practices that reflect the reality that all students will learn, and creating inclusive multicultural school environments for adults and children.

Culturally Responsive Practices: The beliefs, methods, and practices that support and empower all students socially, emotionally, intellectually, and civically by leveraging students’ lived experiences to ensure learning.

Implementation

To realize this commitment to equity, the District will:

• Systematically use District-wide and individual school-level data, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, language, ability, gender, and socioeconomic background to inform District decision-making;
• Provide every student with equitable access to high-quality and culturally relevant instruction, curriculum, support, facilities, technology and other educational resources that respect their individual identities, cultures, backgrounds, abilities and experiences;
• Monitor and evaluate the individual needs of schools and distribute resources and effective personnel based on those needs;
• Incorporate the voice, culture and perspectives of students, staff, families, and communities that reflect student demographics and support and enhance student success;
• Identify and counteract biased practices that perpetuate achievement disparities and opportunity gaps;
• Provide ongoing and continuous professional development at all organizational levels to support employees to engage in culturally responsive practices and delivery of quality culturally relevant instruction;
• Incorporate the principle of equity into the District’s strategic plan and identify measurable outcomes to prepare all students for college, career, and life.

The superintendent shall identify outcome indicators as necessary to monitor this policy and shall provide a _ (monthly, quarterly, annually) status report to the Board.