Addressing Diversity Challenges in Our Schools

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it's faced." - James Baldwin

Sometimes words are not enough, but they should be said regardless: Black lives matter. We acknowledge the institutional racism and biases that exist within education and its systems.

Progress starts with us as education is the catalyst of social change. Through professional development, diversification of our membership and leadership, and advocacy for systemic change, we commit to equal representation and equity for our Black administrators, teachers, students and families.

Actionable Steps FASA will Take:

  1. Host a series of PD sessions that foster courageous conversations and include actionable recommendations for practice such as:
    1. White privilege: what is it and why is it important to discuss how it manifests in our schools and educational systems?  What can be done to eliminate it?
    2. Cultural biases in student assessments (e.g. writing prompts that include life experiences biased to white children with which a black child may have no contextual knowledge) 
    3. “The Sins of Educational Systems” 
    4. The Challenges and Victories of the Black Principal and Administrator
    5. Disproportionate discipline of children of color
    6. Bias in curriculum including ‘sugar coated’ history 
  2. Diversification of the membership of FASA and leadership.
    1. Develop supporting documentation to share with school boards and superintendents
    2. Reach out to HBCUs with Ed Leadership Programs to actively recruit future administrators 
    3. Deliberately seek more involvement from people of color because FASA values and needs their voices.
  3. Advocacy Priorities
    1. Utilize FASA PAC to support pro-education candidates of color.
    2. Advocate for better policy regarding bias in testing and curriculum
    3. Support more counselors in schools to respond to trauma
  4. Close access gaps
    1. Increase mentoring program
    2. Increase internship opportunities
    3. Introduce scholarships by various means including direct giving, partnerships, etc.
  5. Support Black-owned educational companies (Publishers or  publishing organizations, PD and training providers, event coordinators and  venues, decorators, etc.)

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