Douglas County School

Equity Advisory Council

[email protected]

The committee serves to support and advise the Superintendent (or Superintendent’s designee), and the School Board on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“The Equity Advisory Council is a committee that coordinates with School District Leadership to support and advise the full and systemic implementation of the DCSD Educational Equity Policy. The DCSD, and this council, commit to establish an inclusive culture to ensure all students, staff, and community members feel safe and valued by increasing and embedding authentic and relevant learning opportunities and experiences involving inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.”

The Equity Advisory Council meets monthly throughout the school year. Please see the calendar for specific dates. Agendas and minutes are posted in each invitation. See the Equity Advisory Council Bylaws and Addendum 1: Inaugural Year Processes and Procedures.


EAC MLO/Bond Support Statement  Link

Advisory Council Meeting are listed below on the calendar:

***DCSD Equity Advisory Council (EAC) meetings are now available for viewing via Google Meet, so that community members can hear the proceedings without being physically present in the room. If community members choose to attend in person, we will have a room available where they can view the Google Meet. 

_______________________________

In March 2021, the DCSD Board of Education approved DCSD Policy ADB - Educational Equity.

The purpose of the Educational Equity Policy is to show DCSD’s continued commitment to ensuring that every DCSD student and staff member has access to equitable and rigorous educational opportunities. The policy also reaffirms DCSD’s commitment to providing an inclusive culture to ensure all students, staff, and community members feel safe and valued.

The policy has raised concerns from some members of our community who have asked if this will change DCSD curriculum to incorporate Critical Race Theory. DCSD is not changing its curriculum. All instruction in DCSD is, and will continue to be, aligned with Colorado Academic Standards. Our educators are committed to supporting all students in meeting or exceeding the rigorous expectations outlined in these standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Will DCSD be changing its curriculum as a result of the Educational Equity policy? If so, how? 

A:  All instruction in the DCSD is aligned and will remain aligned with Colorado Academic Standards. Our educators are committed to supporting all students in meeting or exceeding the rigorous expectations outlined in these standards. The Educational Equity policy is meant to serve as a guide for DCSD staff when drafting policies, procedures and making decisions related to educational materials, school district facilities, staffing, curriculum and regulations affecting students and staff. 

Q: Who serves on the DCSD Equity Advisory Committee and how were they selected?

A: EAC Membership selection processes align with the EAC Bylaws. Membership positions are intended to represent multiple stakeholders and stakeholder groups. 22 members were selected in the inaugural year, and major stakeholder groups represented within the DCSD are invited to participate by sending 1-2 representatives to attend each meeting. This has included parents, staff members, community members and representatives of DCSD committees such as the Douglas County Special Education Advisory Committee, Conexìon, District Accountability Committee, Douglas County Gifted Education Advisory Committee, Employee Council, and many others.

Q: How did the DCSD Equity Advisory Council begin?

A: The Equity Advisory Council was formed as a collaborative effort across DCSD stakeholder groups.
ADB EDUCATIONAL EQUITY-English
ADB EDUCATIONAL EQUITY-Mandarin
ADB EDUCATIONAL EQUITY-Russian
ADB EDUCATIONAL EQUITY-Spanish
As aligned with policy, the Equity Advisory Council will provide insights, advice, and feedback for equity-focused work occurring across the DCSD. Bylaws are currently being written and approved.

Q: Does the DCSD Equity Advisory Council have the authority to set school district policy?

A: The DCSD Equity Advisory Council does not set school district policy. They worked together to provide recommendations and input around a new Educational Equity Policy. That policy was reviewed and edited by the DCSD Board of Education prior to being approved.

Q. As part of DCSD’s novel and textbook approval process, a parent is required to review and approve the book. How are parents selected as the reviewers?
A:  Schools have the flexibility to select a parent for the textbook review process.  This parent may be a member of existing committees or groups such as School Accountability Committees and PTO. Board File: IJ TEXTBOOK AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS SELECTION AND ADOPTION

Q. If a novel or textbook is approved at one school, are all other schools able to utilize it as well?

A:  Yes, textbooks that are proposed to and approved by the BOE are available to schools in DCSD in alignment with the specific content, grade level(s) and course(s) identified in the textbook adoption proposal. DCSD charter schools review and approve their own curriculum resources.

Q: What is the “targeted system” that will identify inequities?

A: Education regarding inequities is a primary priority in order to build and sustain a common language and common expectation across the district. The “targeted system” will align with DCSD’s formal grievance policy, and educational opportunities and restorative practices will be leveraged to repair harm when allowable under law and DCSD policy. 

The Board of Education shall NOT condone, by its staff, students, leadership, or any other community member representing School District interests: A) Biased, inequitable, racist, or exclusive practices B) Discriminatory behaviors that disproportionately impact any particular group or groups of individuals based on aspect of their collective identity C) Practices that promote inequality or inequity D) Deficit-focused instructional or operational implementation frameworks E) Perpetuation of racism or discrimination F) Policies and resolutions that support exclusion or intolerance 

The School District will create and implement a targeted system to identify any of the above practices, frameworks, systems, behaviors, and/or policies. The School District will also develop, in conjunction with school and School District leaders, a restorative process to address the identified concern, repair harm to the community, and to eradicate any future inequities.