BP 0415 Equity

This policy establishes a commitment to equity for all students in the district, aiming to eliminate institutional biases and disparities in educational outcomes by proactively identifying and addressing barriers for historically underserved populations. It mandates the Board to consider equity in all decisions and implement strategies for equitable access to programs and resources.

PROPOSED POLICY. New BP for PAUSD. Adopt CSBA language.

CSBA Sample Board Policy Equity

BP 0415 Philosophy, Goals, Objectives and Comprehensive Plans

***Note: The following optional policy addresses district recognition and response to the unique barriers facing each segment of the district's student population.***

***Note: Pursuant to Education Code 201, California schools have an affirmative obligation to combat racism, sexism, and other forms of bias, and have a responsibility to provide equal educational opportunity to all students. Education Code 51007 requires that all students enrolled in the state's public elementary and secondary schools, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, geographic location, or socioeconomic background, shall have equitable access to educational programs designed to strengthen technological skills, including, but not limited to, computer education programs. Education Code 220 further prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, immigration status, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 422.55 of the Penal Code in any program or activity conducted by the district.***

The Governing BoardBoard of Education believes that the diversity that exists among the district's community of students, staff, parents/guardians, and community members is integral to the district's vision, mission, and goals. Addressing the needs of the most marginalized learners requires recognition of the inherent value of diversity and acknowledgement that educational excellence requires a commitment to equity in the opportunities provided to students and the resulting outcomes.

(cf. 0000 - Vision) (cf. 0100 - Philosophy) (cf. 0200 - Goals for the School District) (cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities) (cf. 5145.3 - Nondiscrimination/Harassment)

In order to eradicate institutional bias of any kind, including implicit or unintentional biases and prejudices that affect student achievement, and to eliminate disparities in educational outcomes for students from historically underserved and underrepresented populations, the district shall proactively identify class and cultural biases as well as practices, policies, and institutional barriers that negatively influence student learning, perpetuate achievement gaps, and impede equal access to opportunities for all students.

The Board shall make decisions with a deliberate awareness of impediments to learning faced by students of color and/or diverse cultural, linguistic, or socio-economic backgrounds. To ensure that equity is the intentional result of district decisions, the Board shall consider whether its decisions address the needs of students from racial, ethnic, and indigent communities and remedy the inequities that such communities experienced in the context of a history of exclusion, discrimination, and segregation. Board decisions shall not rely on biased or stereotypical assumptions about any particular group of students.

(cf. 6173 - Education for Homeless Children) (cf. 6173.1 - Education for Foster Youth) (cf. 6174 - Education for English Learners) (cf. 6175 - Migrant Education Program) (cf. 9000 - Role of the Board) (cf. 9310 - Board Policies)

The Board and the Superintendent or designee shall develop and implement policies and strategies to promote equity in district programs and activities, through measures such as the following:

1. Routinely assessing student needs based on data disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and socio-economic and cultural backgrounds in order to enable equity-focused policy, planning, and resource development decisions

(cf. 0400 - Comprehensive Plans) (cf. 0460 - Local Control and Accountability Plan) (cf. 6162.5 - Student Assessment)

***Note: Pursuant to 20 USC 6311, states must publish per-pupil expenditures, including personnel expenditures and nonpersonnel expenditures, by school. Districts can analyze this financial data, along with other data sources, to ensure equitable allocation of financial and human resources across the district.***

2. Analyzing expenditures and allocating financial and human resources in a manner that provides all students with equitable access to district programs, support services, and opportunities for success and promotes equity and inclusion in the district. Such resources include access to high-quality administrators, teachers, and other school personnel; funding; technology, equipment, textbooks, and other instructional materials; facilities; and community resources or partnerships.

(cf. 0440 - District Technology Plan) (cf. 3100 - Budget) (cf. 4113 - Assignment) (cf. 7110 - Facilities Master Plan)

3. Enabling and encouraging students to enroll in, participate in, and complete curricular and extracurricular courses, advanced college preparation programs, and other student activities

(cf. 6141.4 - International Baccalaureate Program) (cf. 6141.5 - Advanced Placement) (cf. 6143 - Courses of Study) (cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities) (cf. 6152.1 - Placement in Mathematics Courses)

4. Building a positive school climate that promotes student engagement, safety, and academic and other supports for students

(cf. 5137 - Positive School Climate)

5. Adopting curriculum and instructional materials that accurately reflect the diversity among student groups

(cf. 6141 - Curriculum Development and Evaluation) (cf. 6161.1 - Selection and Evaluation of Instructional Materials)

6. Providing and/or collaborating with local agencies and community groups to ensure the availability of necessary support services for students in need

(cf. 1400 - Relations Between Other Governmental Agencies and the Schools) (cf. 6164.2 - Guidance/Counseling Services) (cf. 6164.5 - Student Success Teams) (cf. 6179 - Supplemental Instruction)

7. Promoting the employment and retention of a diverse staff that reflects the student demographics of the community

8. Providing district staff with ongoing, researched-based, professional learning and professional development on culturally responsive instructional practices

(cf. 4131 - Staff Development) (cf. 4231 - Staff Development) (cf. 4331 - Staff Development)

9. Conducting program evaluations that focus on equity and address the academic outcomes and performance of all students on all indicators

(cf. 0500 - Accountability)

The Board shall regularly monitor the intent and impact of district policies and decisions in order to safeguard against disproportionate or unintentional impact on access to district programs and achievement goals for specific student populations in need of services.

Legal Reference: EDUCATION CODE 200-262.4 Educational equity 52077 Local control and accountability plan 60040 Selection of instructional materials GOVERNMENT CODE 11000 Definitions 11135 Nondiscrimination in programs or activities funded by state PENAL CODE 422.55 Definition of hate crime 422.6 Interference with constitutional right or privilege CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5 4900-4965 Nondiscrimination in elementary and secondary education programs UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20 1400-1482 Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act 1681-1688 Discrimination based on sex or blindness, Title IX 2301-2414 Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act 6311 State plans 6312 Local education agency plans UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 29 794 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 42 2000d-2000d-7 Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964 2000e-2000e-17 Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended 2000h-2000h-6 Title IX 12101-12213 Americans with Disabilities Act CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 28 35.101-35.190 Americans with Disabilities Act 36.303 Auxiliary aids and services CO