NAIS reports that heads of schools spend, on average, 22% of their time, energy, and attention on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) related topics. Is this the best use of their time? Most high-quality heads of schools don’t become educators to spend time on polarizing issues. If we want the best and brightest to pursue careers in education, then let’s go back to the real purpose of school.
DEI has not been based on scholarship or evidence, yet the independent school world embraced Ibram X. Kendi as the expert. His “work,” which was the foundation for many of the DEI plans in independent schools, is finally under scrutiny. The prevailing message has been that DEI is prioritized above all else, and this ideology has supplanted excellence.
Schools aren’t living the values upon which most were founded. Therefore, what is the independent school value proposition? Is it to prepare students for college and life afterward or get them into a prestigious college?
Independent schools are expensive to operate. Tuition keeps rising. The college admissions game has changed. Why should families spend the money if students aren’t getting into the “status” schools and are getting social justice activism instead of academic excellence? There are only so many hours in the day, and there is an opportunity cost to the time spent on DEI and gender ideology. Students should not be taught to believe that harm is everywhere and that identity is everything. Students should not be made to feel that they are fragile.
What If Schools Taught Habits For Success?
Imagine if schools provided such a strong foundation that its graduates would thrive and be prepared for life and the workforce regardless of their college matriculation.
We can learn a lot from what Ian Rowe is doing at Vertex Partnership Academies, where they teach students the school’s four cardinal virtues. Using “I statements,” they help young people to internalize their sense of personal agency — the exact thing DEI squashes.
Courage: I reject victimhood and boldly persevere, even in times of uncertainty and struggle.
Justice: I uphold our common humanity and honor the inherent dignity of each individual.
Temperance: I lead my life with self-discipline because I am responsible for my learning and behavior.
Wisdom: I make sound judgments based on knowledge of objective, universal truth.
The Gig Is Up
Students and teachers are rolling their eyes over the incessant speech-chilling focus on DEIJB that continues in schools. How can schools expand the range of discourse?
Instruct students about the importance of civil discourse and model that behavior.
Ground students in the knowledge that not all discomfort is harmful.
Prioritize intellectual values such as courage and resilience.
Repurpose the DEI time to teach civics, digital citizenship, and financial literacy.
A Glimmer Of Hope?
This academic year, Milton Academy made a minor change in its handbook policies, and they have a new head of school. Notice the change in the DEI section from the 22'-23' Handbook to the 23'-24' Handbook below. Maybe they will get back to focusing on intellectual rigor and truth.
