LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS & DISTRICTS
Honesty & DEI in Education

For years, many of Ohio's 610+ school districts have been prioritizing the well-being AND academic success of students by infusing Honest education, critical thinking, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and anti-discrimination practices into their districts. These student-focused efforts are based on student needs, education standards, school data, comprehensive student and staff surveys, evidence-based pedagogy, and professional behavioral health support.

​Some approaches to Honesty and DEI in education include:
  • Culturally Responsive Education
  • Transformative Social-Emotional Learning
  • Trauma Informed Care & Healing Centered Engagement
  • Restorative Justice Practices
  • Peace and Conflict-Resolution Skills Building 
  • Regular Curriculum Audits 
  • Targeted Professional Development
  • Responsive District Policies and Procedures
  • Transparent Incident Reporting Systems

​Opposition to District Efforts
Recently, there has been growing opposition to Honesty and DEI in local districts based on a misunderstanding of the work itself, and a political strategy to misrepresent the work as Critical Race Theory and Marxism. Misinformed residents are labeling professional educators as “Marxist” and their schools “indoctrination centers” for simply teaching students inclusive, complete, and accurate accounts of history and modern events, and honoring each child's identity, experience, and culture.
Some residents are demanding that districts: 
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  • Halt DEI initiatives and disband DEI committees
  • STOP imposing values, morality, and ethics on students
  • STOP anti-racist teachings
  • STOP acknowledging cultures and races
  • Revert back to an approach of "color blindness" to prevent racism and discrimination
  • STOP equitable teaching practices
  • STOP teaching "Critical Race Theory" and the 1619 Project
  • STOP teaching Marxism​
This contention is based on a lack of understanding about:

  • The benefits of an open and honest education vs. the harm of a narrowly-focused, dishonest education 
  • The severity of discrimination, racialized abuse, and trauma inflicted on students and staff in school districts -- and how that trauma impacts student learning and professional performance
  • The definition of “equity”, in terms of education, and its longstanding application across Ohio to ensure every student thrives in their district
  • The harm of “color blindness” as an approach to promote harmony -- this approach allows educators to devalue students by denying, ignoring, or dismissing racial and ethnic identities rather than affirm them
  • The definition of Critical Race Theory, its use as a legal academic framework in higher education, and its absence in Pre K-12 education ​​​

TAKE ACTION TODAY

Learn about Honesty and DEI in your district and support School Board members and educators advancing these important initiatives.

Learn About Your District​

How does your district approach Honesty in education? 
What are your district's DEI policy, strategic plan, goals, and action items?  Who is involved?
Does your community support or oppose these efforts?

​Review Your District Website: You can generally find information about curricula, DEI, and policies and procedures on your district's website and by reviewing the Parent and Student Handbook/Manual. Contact your district administration for additional assistance. 
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​​Attend/Watch Your School Board Meetings: Attend, watch video, or review minutes from your district school board meetings to get a sense of community support and opposition to these efforts -- recordings and/or minutes should be available on your district’s website, normally under Board of Education ​

Education Resources

Student-Centered Learning

​Learn about Culturally Responsive Education

Learn about Social Emotional Learning

Learn about Trauma Informed Care

Learn about Healing Centered Engagement

Learn about Color Blindness in Education