Criteria for an Equitable School

An equitable school provides the climate, process, and content which enable students and staff to perform at their highest level. An equitable school ensures successful academic outcomes by providing resources according to need and appropriate instructional strategies for each student.

The equitable school:

• Has a clear mission that is committed to equitable access, processes, treatment, and outcomes for all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, national origin, English Learner status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, or disability status.
• Provides an inclusive visual environment both digitally (online portals, materials, etc.) and in-person (halls, displays, classroom exhibit pictures, etc.). This effort considers the physical environment from which teachers broadcast to make sure it is appropriate and encouraging for all students.
• Reflects and works in collaboration with the various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, language, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and disability groups within the school community.
• Works in partnership with families, the business community, and civic and community organizations to enrich the curriculum, provide consistently high expectations for all students, and develop support and opportunities for all students.
• Provides ongoing, embedded, and systematic professional learning (i.e., training, coaching, communities of practice) opportunities to support staff in implementing equitable learning for all students (whether in-person, hybrid, or virtual learning).
• Promotes social-emotional well-being for students and families to develop a supportive and inclusive learning community that promotes the cultural assets that they bring to their classrooms.

Source: Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC)