Saturday, June 22, 2019

Diversity and equity: one district in Missouri

This from EdWeek caught my eye:
In January, Lee's Summit's local chapter of the National Education Association shared a letter urging against extending Carpenter's contract. In a list of reasons, the union executive team cited concerns with the rejected September proposal, which they said would have focused on "white privilege" and concentrated on better serving black students in equity training.
The teachers' union also called the hiring of an assistant superintendent of equity and student services not "warranted or necessary." The role was created in the 2018-19 school year as part of the equity plan, and is a position that is being created by a growing number of districts across the country to address schooling disparities.
"We believe disparity in student achievement and opportunity should be addressed with all our minority populations and not just focused on our black population. Diversity and equity should address our students that come with a variety of unique needs," the letter said.
In May, Lee's Summit's school board president made headlines for comments on privilege, including comparing being blonde to being a person of color.
Local reporting here

No comments: