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102.1 Racial Equity and Inclusion

102.1 Racial Equity and Inclusion

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to promote equity and inclusion for each student, staff and family member.

 

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

  1. South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) mission is to educate students for success by:
    1. Creating safe spaces to engage in conversations around race, ethnicity and culture;
    2. Advancing diversity, racial equity and inclusion and publicly supporting our goals through communications;
    3. Supporting, encouraging and academically challenging each student;
    4. Ensuring each student’s learning opportunities validate and affirm their racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, promoting a sense of belonging; and,
    5. Eliminating predictable student achievement patterns linked to a student's racial, ethnic and/or cultural backgrounds
  2. SoWashCo Schools will lead by example, working together with students, staff, families and community to promote equity and inclusion.

III.      DEFINITIONS

  1. Anti-Racism - The active work of identifying, challenging and changing systems, policies and practices to achieve racial equity.
  2. Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color - This term refers to people who identify, racially and/or ethnically, as Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color.
  3. Culture - Term that encompasses the social behavior and norms found in societies.
  4. Diversity -  The range of backgrounds, identities, experiences, cultures and perspectives of each individual.
  5. Ethnicity - Belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition.
  6. Equity - Ensuring each individual receives what they need to reach their full potential.
  7. Government Speech - Speech or expression by, or on behalf of, a governmental entity, including a public school district.
  8. Hate Speech -  Refers to speech which: (1) Disparages or demeans a person or group based on protected class status; (2) Targets a person or group based on protected-class status; or (3) Threatens or harasses a person or group based on protected-class status. 
  9. Inclusion - Intentional practices that create a welcoming, respectful and supportive environment.
  10. Intercultural Competence - the ability to effectively and appropriately interact with people from different racial, ethnic and/or cultural backgrounds; demonstrating self-awareness, understanding different perspectives and adapting communication to foster mutual understanding.
  11. Power - The capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior or opportunities of others.
  12. Prejudice - Dislike and/or hostility based on social identities.
  13. Race - A socially-constructed way of categorizing people by skin color or region of origin.
  14. Racial Equity - Addressing unearned advantages and disadvantages created by historical and ongoing systemic factors based on race, ethnicity or cultural backgrounds.
  15. Racial or Cultural Harm - Harm experienced by an individual or group based on their racial, ethnic or cultural backgrounds. This harm can be intentional or unintentional and often perpetuates exclusion and inequality.
  16. Racism - A system combining racial prejudice with systemic power to create and maintain unequal outcomes.

IV.  SCHOOL DISTRICT ACTION AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Safety:
    1. Create and foster school environments that affirm equal humanity of students, staff, families and community.
    2. Establish and utilize uniform responsive protocols to address racial and/or cultural harm.
  2. Communication:
    1. Clearly and consistently communicate a commitment to equity and inclusion through official government speech (including, but not limited to: You Belong Here, Stand Up. Stand Strong. Stand Proud., Black lives matter, Your voice matters, All are welcome here), and messaging is  visible and promoted across the district.
    2. Denounce  all forms of bullying and discrimination.
    3. Condemn hate speech and expressions of racism, xenophobia, discrimination and ethnic or racial intolerance.
    4. Seek out and include diverse perspectives of students, staff, families and community in our decision-making process.
  3. Professional Development:
    1. Require ongoing opportunities for staff that focus on building intercultural competence.
    2. Staff will participate in professional development designed to strengthen their ability to validate and affirm students, foster positive relationships, and implement strategies that support students and families.
  4. Curriculum:
    1. Affirm the historical contributions of Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color.
    2. Ensure the curriculum review process incorporates accurate and comprehensive portrayals of Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color.
  5. Student Achievement:
    1. Eliminate practices and procedures that result in predictably lower academic achievement for any student based on their racial, ethnic or cultural backgrounds.
    2. Validate and affirm the cultural strengths of each student to support and achieve high expectations.

V. IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING

The Superintendent will review Policy 102.1 Racial Equity and Inclusion Policy in accordance with the policy review schedule.

 

LEGAL REFERENCES

U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1 (Equal Protection Clause)

20 U.S.C. § 1703 (Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974)

42 U.S.C. § 2000c et seq. (Desegregation)

42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq. (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964)

42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2 (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964)

25 U.S.C. § 452 et seq. (Johnson-O’Malley Act)

Minn. Const. art. XIII, § 1 (Uniform System of Public Schools)

Minn. Stat. § 121A.04 (Student Bill of Rights)

Minn. Stat. § 124D.855 et seq. (School Desegregation and Integration)

Minn. Stat. § 124D.86 (Statewide Enrollment Options; Desegregation Transportation)

Minn. Stat. § 124D.123 (Race discrimination in Flexible Year Programs)

Minn. Stat. § 124D.74, subd. 2 (Assignment of Students by Race)

Minn. Stat. Chapter 363A (Minnesota Human Rights Act)

Minn. Stat. § 123B.02, subd. 11 (Agreements with Indian Tribes)

Minn. Stat. § 124D.71 et seq. (American Indian Education Act of 1988)

Minn. Stat. § 124D.65 (Early Childhood and Family Education Programs)

Minn. Stat. § 181.59 (Discrimination by Contractors)

Garcia et al. vs. The Board of Education of Independent School District No. 625: Order, Consent Decree and Final Judgment Dated July 9, 1984, United States District Court for the District of Minnesota (Latino Consent Decree)

 

CROSS REFERENCES

Policy 102 Equal Educational Opportunity

Policy 525.1 Harassment and Violence

Policy 514 Bullying Prohibition

Policy 601 School District Curriculum and Instruction Goals

Policy 603 Curriculum Development

Policy 604 Instructional Curriculum

Policy 606 Textbooks and Instructional Materials

Policy 616 School District System Accountability

 

POLICY ADOPTED: August 26, 2021

POLICY REVISED: May 22, 2025

 

           

 

Policy