New “Equity Policy” for Fairfax Schools, Part 2

As reported in my post of July 13, the Fairfax County School Board plans to issue a new “equity policy” for its schools.  The process of developing it is just getting underway.

I have sent a letter to the Board and its staff with my preliminary comments.  The letter makes three points.

First, if the Board adopts a policy, the term “equity” needs to be carefully defined to make clear what “equity” is, and what it is not.  A loose definition could support all sorts of bad actions by the Board.  My letter suggests several elements of an acceptable definition.

Second, the Board needs to reach out to obtain wide input from the public on any proposal.  The letter points out that the Board has failed to do this in the recent past.  The Board has tended to focus its attention on left-leaning groups, ignoring ordinary parents and other citizens.

Third, the goals of the “equity policy” need to be specified.  My letter suggests what should and shouldn’t be included.

A copy of my letter to the Board is HERE.

Concerned readers of this blog need to make their voices heard.  There are many activists on the other side of the debate about school policies; they tend to have the ear of the current Board.  It would be helpful for some of you to contact the Board now, before a proposed policy is put onto paper.  You can communicate to the Board by letter or email.  Contact information is on the School Board’s website.