Actions For Schools

Offer curriculum transparency to parents

Provide clear syllabi and lesson plans to parents. Ideally, these would be readily available for all subjects. If they aren't yet available, make every effort to engage honestly with parents when they request transparency. It is especially important to provide parents with information regarding topics such as identity, race, gender, and other lessons that fall under social and emotional learning. Parents should receive information about lessons ahead of time in order to give them time to review and opt out of lessons if desired.

Incorporate viewpoint diversity in curricula, speakers, policies, and trainings

Take time to review the speakers, training, and professional resources you have used over the past several years. Commit to engaging presenters who represent diverse viewpoints to speak to faculty, parents, and students during workshops, assemblies, and professional development. For an example of how this might be done, look to Deerfield Academy's recent Framework For Schools.

Reconsider student surveys

Most people are suspicious of surveys. They tend to What information are you looking to learn?

Adopt your own version of the Chicago Statement

Create, promote, and honor their own versions of the Chicago Statement to protect the free expression rights of students, faculty, staff, and parents. The Chicago Statement is a free speech policy statement produced by the Committee on Freedom of Expression at the University of Chicago in January 2015.

“Because “the school” is committed to free and open inquiry in all matters, it guarantees all members of the “school” community the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn. . . [I]t is not the proper role of the “school” to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive.”

— Excerpt from the Chicago Statement

Adopt a guiding principle statement

Ask the Board to approve a guiding principle statement as an addendum to their Mission statement or DEI policy that resembles something like the following:

"Independent School XXX does not support dehumanizing individuals, segregation, fascism, Marxism, and the following ideas associated with critical race theory: race essentialism, identity-based intersectionality, and assertions that any race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, or the United States is inherently or irredeemably discriminatory, racist, sexist, or oppressive."

Reconsider DEI offices and staff

If the school is going to get back on track, it will need to distance itself from NAIS (not renewing its membership) and eliminate the DEI office. Put that money into something meaningful.