Diversity Statement

The Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) is committed to a world-class school system that supports educational excellence regardless of ethnicity, race, color, national origin, age, different abilities, religion, marital or parental status, political affiliations or beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Equitable academic programs and services that respond to the needs of a diverse student population and prepare all students for a changing workplace within a global economy are essential.

The board defines multicultural education as that which recognizes, values, and affirms diversity in a pluralistic environment. Education that is multicultural fosters:

• Intergroup understanding, awareness, and appreciation by students and staff of diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic groups represented in JCPS.

• Positive attitudes toward cultural diversity, especially in early grades, by dispelling misconceptions, stereotypes, and negative beliefs about themselves and others.

• Dialogue about the impact of racism and other barriers to acceptance of our common humanity.

• Development of positive, productive interaction among people and experiences of diverse cultural groups.

• Understanding of historical, political, and economic bases of current inequities.

The board believes that multicultural education has an immediate and direct connection to student learning and staff development that cultivates high expectations for all students, especially students from low-income families and students of color.

The board recognizes that multicultural education is not a limited experience but a continuous process that embraces and accepts the interdependence of national and global groups. The JCBE also recognizes that multicultural education is an integral reform necessary in transforming the educational process to sustain an environment where diversity is valued and the commitment to multicultural education is evident.