Diversity in BC Schools: A Framework - Racial Equity Tools

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Diversity in BC Schools: A FrameworkBritish Columbia schools are striving to develop positive,welcoming school cultures and are committed to fostering optimalenvironments for learning. They strive to:- develop positive school cultures and focus on prevention- use school-wide efforts to build “community,” fosteringrespect, inclusion, fairness and equity- set, communicate and consistently reinforce clearexpectations of conduct- teach, model and encourage socially responsible behavioursthat contribute to the school community, solve problems inpeaceful ways, value diversity and defend human rights- assume responsibility, in partnership with the widercommunity, for resolving critical safety concerns- work together to better understand issues such as bullying,harassment and intimidation, racism, sexism andhomophobia, and to learn new skills to respond to them- respond consistently to incidents in a fair and reasonedmanner, using interventions that repair harm, strengthenrelationships and restore a sense of belonging- participate in the development of policies, procedures andpractices that promote school safety- monitor and evaluate their school environments forevidence of continuous improvement- recognize and celebrate achievements, while acknowledgingareas that need improvementThe BC Safe Schools andCommunities Centre maintainsa wealth of print and videoresources in several majortopic areas, including:Counselling and SupportCrime and Violence PreventionDiversityIntimidation, Harassmentand ViolenceThe Legal SystemSocial and EmotionalDevelopmentYouth at RiskYouth LeadershipWebsite:www.safeschools.gov.bc.caExamples of key resources that have been introduced to the systeminclude:- Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools: A Guide- Call it Safe: a parent guide for dealing with bullying inelementary schools- Call it Safe: a parent guide for dealing with harassment andintimidation in secondary schools- Focus on Bullying: A Prevention Program for Elementary SchoolCommunities- Focus on Harassment and Intimidation: Responding to Bullyingin Secondary School Communities- Promoting Safer Schools: An Introduction to Effective BehaviourSupport (EBS)- Keeping Schools Safe: A Practical Guide for Principals and Vice-Principals- BC Performance Standards: Social Responsibility – A Framework- Focus on Suspension: A Resource for Schools22 BC Ministry of Education
Implications for School Boards and SchoolsSection Three:Implications for School Boards and SchoolsBoards of school trustees, school district officials and otherschool leaders have a unique responsibility and challengingduty to address increasing diversity in both the educational andoperational aspects of schooling.Education leaders must continually strive to create and maintainlearning and working environments that are responsive to thediverse communities they serve. In order to carry out thisresponsibility, it is important that education leaders examine schoolboard and school policies, strategies and initiatives to determinehow comprehensively the diverse needs of students and employeesare being addressed. Areas that require improvement can then beidentified and plans made for both system and school-specificchange.Guiding QuestionsDiversity in BC Schools: A Framework has been developed to assisteducation leaders in understanding the implications of existinglegislation and provincial policy related to diversity. The followingquestions are intended to facilitate discussion and prompt actionsthat will lead to continually improving policies, procedures andpractices to support diversity.Policies and ProceduresPolices and procedures establish clear expectations for all membersof the school community by encouraging appropriate action andproviding a basis for sanctions in response to inappropriate action.They encourage pro-active and preventive endeavour as well asremedial and restorative approaches. To be effective, policiesand procedures must be regularly reviewed, communicatedand implemented.• Does the school board/school have a specific policy thataddresses diversity and reinforces human rights for all studentsand employees?• How do other current district policies promote respect fordiversity and human rights consistent with the legislation? Arethey regularly communicated to the entire school community?BC Ministry of Education 23
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