Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the District
New sample policy 3430, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the District, was developed in response to the approval of a policy statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the May 2021 NYS Board of Regents meeting. This policy statement was approved following the release of a draft DEI framework and call to action for all schools at the April 2021 NYS Board of Regents meeting which was a direct outgrowth of NYSED’s work in 2018 to research and develop the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining (CR-S) Education Framework. Although a DEI policy is not required by law or regulation, the NYS Board of Regents expects that all districts will develop and implement policies and practices that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion and that they will implement such policies and practices with “fidelity and urgency."
The NYS Board of Regents affirms that effective DEI policies must consider the entirety of the schooling process and expects districts to include the following elements in their policies: governance (including the establishment of a district DEI Committee that is representative of all stakeholders, including students); teaching and learning; family and community engagement; workforce diversity; diverse schools and learning opportunities; and student supports, discipline, and wellness. These elements are all addressed in new sample policy 3430.