Committee presents results of diversity assessment
June 18, 2009 12:25 PM
Nearly 50 people attended a community forum Wednesday to hear the results of a district-wide diversity and inclusion assessment that began last spring.
Members of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee appointed by Superintendent Dawn Tarzian reported the key findings of four sub-groups that looked at school environments, parent information networks, student and survey data and input received from a series of focus group meetings. Participants also were asked to suggest what deserved further study and what should be included in a diversity action plan to be developed next fall.
Tarzian asked the committee to identify diversity-related challenges and opportunities within the district so it could address key areas of district work related to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students, families and staff. The committee’s work also should help foster school cultures that embrace diversity and inclusion and make sure all students have access to quality educational programs.
The report from the diversity and inclusion assessment Wednesday night included the following themes:
Many Corvallis schools are doing a good job of offering a safe and welcoming environment from the moment people walk in the door by providing good signage, often in dual languages; easy access to information about the school and staff; comfortable, inviting spaces for students and parents to gather; and hallway decorations featuring colorful and inspiring student art work.
The majority of students, parents and staff surveyed indicated they felt their school was safe and welcoming.
Language is a barrier to effective communication between schools/staff and parents who do not speak English as their first language. Better access to effective translation services is needed not only to provide more resources to parents to support their students at school, but also to help deal with student behavior.
Staff, parents and students (mostly in middle and high school) are concerned about bullying and want more training in how to deal with bullying appropriately and consistently.
A more detailed explanation of the assessment’s findings will be posted soon on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s Web page on the district’s Web site. Look for the “Diversity and Inclusion Study” link in the “Spotlight On . . .” section.
The diversity and inclusion assessment is linked to recommendations related to diversity, equity and safe learning environments found in the Corvallis Community Vision for Education. This document, approved by the Corvallis School Board in the fall of 2007, represents the feedback of more than 1,300 community members about what kind of education Corvallis should offer its students.
