Educational Equity

VSBA Equity Definition

(shared with VSA and VPA)

Each student receives the resources and educational opportunities they need to learn and thrive.

Equity means that a student's success is not predicted nor predetermined by characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, family economics, class, geography, ability, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or initial proficiencies.

Equity means that every school provides and every student has access to high quality culturally responsive curriculum, programs, teachers and administrators, extracurricular activities and support services to meet the needs of each and every student.

Equity goes beyond formal equality where all students are treated the same. Achieving equity may require an unequal distribution of resources and services.

Equity involves acknowledging and disrupting inequitable practices, acknowledging biases, employing practices that reflect the reality that all students will learn, and creating inclusive multicultural school environments for adults and children.

VSBA Resources

VSBA Vision and Mission (revised 2022):

Vision: The VSBA is the trusted leadership organization advancing the essential work of Vermont school boards so that each and every

student is supported in their educational journey.

Mission: Develop and provide systems and resources that support school boards and their members, informed through inclusive

community engagement.

VSBA Model Equity Policy
2020 Conference Keynote: Equity is a Verb; Taking Action to Assure Equitable School Re-openings by Verjeana Jacobs
VSBA 2021 Resolution on Equity and Anti-Racism
Statement Condemning Systemic Racism (6/2/2020)
Statement on Critical Race Theory (9/20/2021)

Educational Equity Resources & Equity Lens Tools

According to NonprofitAdvancement.org, "The purpose of an equity lens is to be deliberately inclusive as an organization makes decisions. It introduces a set of questions into the decision that help the decision makers focus on equity in both their process and outcomes." Here are some tools that may help your board facilitate an equity review.

Vermont AOE Equity Lens Tool

Mid Atlantic Equity Consortium

National Equity Project Lens of Systemic Oppression

Northwest Regional Education Services District Equity Lens