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office of equity and inclusion
What is the Office of Equity and Inclusion?
The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) is comprised of two main areas that support Goals 1-6 of the District Strategic Plan. Its two main areas of responsibility are:
- Enforcement and Compliance – to improve education and skill-building for students and staff in order to create a safe environment, free from discrimination, harassment and threats of violence or abuse; to address underlying issues in the school and workplace that cause discrimination, harassment and bullying in the school and workplace; and, to deliver key information to students and staff about district civil rights policies and procedures, federal and state mandated laws, and the standard of behavior expected in school and the workplace.
- Prevention – to help eliminate the achievement gap by fostering respect for – and celebration of – our diversity; promote cultural unity, individual growth, and classroom and workplace harmony. The OEI works with Professional Development, Human Resources and other divisions within the district to develop and implement an integrated professional development plan and integrate proven, best practices that are aligned with the District’s core belief and commitment to diversity and to its strategic plan.
Enforcement and Compliance responsibilities:
- Conduct investigations into allegations of possible violations of the district’s non-discrimination, harassment and retaliation policies (see Chapter 10.0 of the Board manual).
- Develop and recommend policies and practices related to the prevention of discrimination and prohibited conduct in our schools and workplace.
- Disseminate the district’s non-discrimination policy and complaint procedures to ensure they are posted in a visible location.
- Conduct policy reviews at our schools and facilities to inform employees and anyone associated with the District of its non-discrimination policies and procedures.
- Review requests, conduct site visits and make determinations as to the appropriate accommodation available with regard to requests for reasonable accommodations under the ADA.
Prevention responsibilities:
- Develop the district’s Council on Educational Equity and Inclusion which acts as the clearing house for diversity initiatives and programs. The Council’s work has been integrated into the district’s Five-Year Diversity Plan.
- Develop programs and activities for students to give them an opportunity to gain personal skills and awareness around diversity, equity and inclusion. Such programs include the SPIRIT (Student Problem Identification and Resolving Issues Together) Program and the Paper Clips Project, which gave students an opportunity to discuss the long-term consequences and devastating effects of hatred and intolerance.
- Develop programs and initiatives for instructional staff and schools. This includes a pilot program involving three schools (Englewood High School, Southside Middle School, and Southside Estates Elementary School) that integrate social and emotional learning with academic learning to increase academic achievement and improve morale and productivity.
- Develop diversity training. The office conducts training on cultural competency and other diversity-related issues and collaborates with the Schultz Center in providing a range of development opportunities for staff.
Find out more
The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) produces Equity - a twice yearly newsletter featuring pertinent information about laws and trends in the area of discrimination and harassment, as well as other helpful information. Read Equity
Need to schedule a review?
Contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at (904) 390-2181.
Council on Educational Equity and Inclusion
The Council formalizes the school district's equity and diversity efforts and sets a clear course for putting policy into practice. Click here for more information.
Contact:
Josephine Jackson, J.D.
Executive Director
Office of Equity and Inclusion
Duval County Public Schools
1701 Prudential Drive, 4th Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32207-8182
Phone: (904) 390-2181
Fax: (904) 390-2536
Email
Office of Equity and Inclusion Staff:
Cheryl Bradberry, Secretary
Marketia Fleming, Technical Manager
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