Equity
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Anti-Racism Resources
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In light of the state-sanctioned violence against Black people and the protests that they have inspired, here are some resources to navigate this historical moment. The following resources are for students, educators, families, and anyone who is interested in deepening their understanding of racism while also providing solutions for how to continue fighting for the dismantling of this country's racist structures.
Resources for Staff Affinity Groups
This document offers guidance and resources for Schools and Central Office departments; helping to plan and implement effective anti-racist affinity groups, or staff and community meetings in the context of broader organizational change efforts.
To view the BPS Staff Affinity Groups: Guidelines and Best Practices, click here.
Resources for Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC)
Black People Need Stronger Allies
Self Care Tips for Black People Struggling Through a Stressful Week
Stages of Racial Identity Development
Dr. Joy DeGruy: Post Traumatic Slave Disorder (video)
Bearing Witness: The Death of George Floyd
Say Their Name: A toolkit to help foster productive conversations on race
15 Classroom Resources for Discussing Racism, Policing, and Protest
Anti-Racism Resources for Students, Educators, and Citizens
Resources for BPS Educators on Race, Racism, and Police Violence
Resources for Non-Black People of Color
Stages of Racial Identity Development
Bearing Witness: The Death of George Floyd
Say Their Name: A toolkit to help foster productive conversations on race
15 Classroom Resources for Discussing Racism, Policing, and Protest
Anti-Racism Resources for Students, Educators, and Citizens
Resources for BPS Educators on Race, Racism, and Police Violence
Resources for White People
A Practical Guide for White Allies and Accomplices
Stages of Racial Identity Development
Being an Ally is Not About Me!
3 White Privilege Blind Spots that Are Keeping Us Racist
Robin DiAngelo: White Fragility (Video)
Bearing Witness: The Death of George Floyd
Say Their Name: A toolkit to help foster productive conversations on race
15 Classroom Resources for Discussing Racism, Policing, and Protest
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
Anti-Racism Resources for Students, Educators, and Citizens
Resources for BPS Educators on Race, Racism, and Police Violence
Superintendent Cassellius' Check-In Letter to BPS Staff
Superintendent Cassellius addressed the recent murder of George Floyd with all BPS staff and personnel. To view the letter, click here.
Black & Brown Staff in the BPS Bolling Building
Response from Black & Brown Staff in the Bolling Building. To view the letter, click here.
BPS Message to the Community Regarding the Death of George Floyd
Superintendent Cassellius sent a message to the BPS Community in response to the national events of the murder of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis. To view the community letter, click here.
Statement of Solidarity by Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi- American (APIDA) Central Office Affinity Group Against Racism
The APIDA affinity group drafted a statement of solidarity with the movements around the country demanding an end to the racist systems that threaten the lives of Black people and other people of color every day. In the statement, the members of APIDA highlighted seven key commitments and goal-focused deliverables that will aim to end the impact of racism and improve the lives of our Black students, families, and employees.
To view the full statement, click here.
Statement by White Central Office Employees Against Racism
The White Central Office Employees Against Racism affinity group produced a statement of solidarity with the movements around the country demanding an end to the racist systems that threaten the lives of Black people and other people of color every day. The group stands in solidarity with colleagues, students, and families of color, particularly those of African heritage, who are reeling from recent events in the context of centuries of oppression.
The intent of the letter is to signal to the broader community that members of the affinity group are ready to take action, and are eager to be held accountable while recognizing that words are only the beginning.
To view the full statement, click here.
Sample Letters to Families and School Staff
See a sample letter to families from Principal Bott that addresses the national events in response to the death of George Floyd. To view the full letter, click here.
See a sample letter to families from Principal Morales discussing the national events in response to the death of George Floyd. To view the full letter, click here.
See a sample letter to school-based staff that discusses the recent events of racism and provides personnel resources for parents and professional development. To view the letter, click here.
BPS Racial Equity Toolkit
It is the top priority of the Boston Public Schools to provide equity, access, and opportunity for every student while eliminating opportunity and achievement gaps. Research indicates that racial disparities exist in virtually every key indicator of child, family, and community wellbeing. Individual, instructional and structural impacts of race, racism, and other biases are pervasive, and significantly affect key life indicators of success.
The BPS Equity Impact Analysis Tool lays out a clear process and a set of questions to guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of significant policies, initiatives, professional development, programs, instructional practices, and budget issues to explicitly and intentionally create equity. To do this requires ending individual, institutional, and structural racism/bias, and deliberately, thoroughly, and consistently apply a rigorous equity lens to foster a barrier-free environment where all students, regardless of their race or background have the opportunity to achieve. This includes differentiating resource allocations, within budgetary limitations, to provide students with the support and opportunities they need to succeed academically and thrive.
Use this tool every time you are making or reviewing a significant decision as a school or district leader: The Equity Analysis Toolkit provides a set of guiding questions to determine if existing and proposed policies, budgetary allocations, programs, professional development, and instructional practices are likely to close the opportunity gaps for historically marginalized populations within Boston Public Schools.
To view the Equity Impact Analysis Tool, click here.
