Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity:  Vision, Mission & Goals

Mission Statement: The Copley-Fairlawn City Schools Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Committee believes all students and staff have a right to attend a school in which all individuals are valued and feel a sense of worth and belonging in a safe and nurturing environment that celebrates our individual differences.

Vision Statement: The Copley-Fairlawn City Schools Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Committee seeks to understand the current culture in our school buildings in order to make recommendations that will help create an environment where all students feel comfortable and supported in order to reach their personal and academic potential. We will provide educational opportunities for students and staff to learn how to treat one another and empathize with one another.

Goal Statements

Goal # 1: Students will feel safe and comfortable attending Copley-Fairlawn City Schools. Particularly underrepresented students. This will be measured through pre and post surveys of students.

Goal #2: All staff members in Copley-Fairlawn City Schools will gain a deeper understanding of their own personal biases and gain a better understanding of what it is like to be an under-represented student. Thus, increasing their ability to appropriately serve our underrepresented students. This will be measured through the number of professional development opportunities provided to staff along with student surveys.

Goal #3: Processes will be put in place to increase the number of  minority staff members in Copley-Fairlawn City Schools. This will be measured by increasing the number of minority candidates interviewed for vacant positions and subsequently hiring minority candidates.

Goal #4:  School personnel will recognize that some underrepresented students are at an academic disadvantage which must be recognized and addressed. Programs will be developed to provide support for underrepresented students both socially and academically. This will be measured by compiling student academic data. (AP & Honors participation, NHS and NJHS, IEP identification etc.)

Goal #5: We will address the disproportionate disciplinary practices in our schools, for example:  underrepresented students are more likely to be disciplined than their white peers. This will be measured through a decrease in the number of disciplinary infractions which result in an office consequence for underrepresented students.

Goal #6: Students will be given a voice around issues of diversity and social justice. This will be measured by forming student committees and groups in order to provide feedback to our staff.

Goal #7: Future curriculum and course adoptions will consider issues of culture and inclusivity when making choices for the material and resources our students will be exposed to. This will be measured by inclusion on evaluation rubrics considered by staff committees. 

Goal #8: Guidelines and procedures will be created which help students and staff better understand how to react to incidents of racism, implicit bias or marginalization when they witness this or hear about this occurring.