Appendix: Equity-Based Mission Statement Examples
Examples of Equity-Based Mission Statements
The following are mission statements used to create the six (6) components for a strong and clear equity mission statement. Each is coded and have links to their original school/district. Please use these as a way to create an equity mission statement.
Evanston Township High School
https://www.eths.k12.il.us/Page/978
- Staff embracing diversity by dedicating itself to educating all students to their fullest potential.
- How to achieve equity:
- Providing all students with access to resources, opportunities, supports, and interventions to ensure they maximize their abilities and potential.
- Giving students what they need to meet their learning and well-being requirements
- The focus is on equity and not equality as student needs differ based on factors such as racial identity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, ability/disability, and access to other resources.
- Preparing all students to succeed in a multi-cultural, global society by teaching the contributions and viewpoints of all people within culturally relevant curricula.
- Assuring staff members to intentionally examine and eliminate institutional beliefs, policies, practices, and teaching that perpetuate racial disparities in achievement.
- Raising the achievement of all students while eliminating the racial predictability of achievement.
River Falls School District
https://www.rfsd.k12.wi.us/district/equity-committee.cfm
- Staff to ensure the development of every student’s unique potential.
- Stakeholders must challenge traditional systems, practices, and mindsets about students.
- Interrupt actions that contribute to lower engagement, connectedness, and representation for certain students of color, families with financial insecurity, and students with exceptional educational needs.
Jeremiah E. Burke High School
https://www.jebhs.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=182824&type=d
- Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for our multi-cultural society by becoming more educated and well-rounded citizens who are both sensitive and responsive to the needs of the community and the larger world.
Charlestown High School
https://www.charlestownhs.org/school-site-council
- How to achieve equity:
- Using small learning community models to meet varied student needs.
- Prioritizing staff collaboration efforts to improve learning.
- Exploring multiple options inside/outside of the building to support students.
- High support/expectations for student success.
Oklahoma City Public Schools
- Making decisions strategically based on the principles of fairness.
- Providing a variety of educational resources, models, programs, and strategies according to student needs that may not be the same for every student/school with the intention of leading to equality of academic outcomes.
- Social factors are not predictive of student outcomes; ensure equitable and fair educational opportunities for all students
- Allocating resources fairly and equitably
- Providing diverse learning opportunities
- Demonstrating a commitment to equity and fairness across the district
- Creating, building, and sustaining an environment that embraces racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity.
- Closing achievement gaps particularly for student groups with the greatest academic needs in the district.
- Equity does not mean equality; providing opportunities, support, settings, and resources needed so all students receive a high-quality education.
- Particular attention should be paid to students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, African American, Hispanic, Native American, English learners, and students with disabilities.
- Continually evaluate the progress to achieve and maintain systemic change
- Superintendent shall use an equity lens in all district planning efforts
- Report to board on an annual basis on the progress towards the goal of equitable student academic outcomes.