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POLICY STATEMENT

The school system strives to ensure that differences among learners do not impede their participation in school, their mastery of learning outcomes, or their ability to become contributing members of society.

RATIONALE

Diversity among people is one of the prominent features of British Columbia's society and our schools.

The school system is expected to promote values expressed in legislation; Boards of Education and schools are expected to develop and implement policies and practices that honour diversity and respect the rights of all individuals, in accordance with the law.

Honouring diversity is based on the principle that if differences are acknowledged and utilized in a positive way, it is of benefit to the quality of our learning and working environments.

LEGISLATION/ REGULATIONS

See School Act - Preamble, Sections 2, 6(1), 75(1), 76 (2)(3), 85 (1)(2), 169 (3).

See Statement of Education Policy Order (OIC 1280/89) Mandate for the school system.

Also see:

• The Constitution Act (1982)
  • (a) The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  • (b) The Rights of Aboriginal Peoples
• The Multiculturalism Act (RSBC 1996)
• The Human Rights Code (RSBC 1996, c 210)
• The Employment Equity Act (1995)
• The Official Languages Act (1985)

POLICY

The school system strives to create and maintain conditions that foster success for all students and that promote fair and equitable treatment for all. These conditions include:

• equitable access to and equitable participation in quality education for all students
• school cultures that value diversity and respond to the diverse social and cultural needs of the communities they serve
• school cultures that promote understanding of others and respect for all
• learning and working environments that are safe and welcoming, free from discrimination, harassment and violence
• decision making processes that give a voice to all members of the school community
• policies and practices that promote fair and equitable treatment

PROCEDURES

Boards of school trustees, school district officials and other school leaders have a unique responsibility and challenging duty to address increasing diversity in both the educational and operational aspects of schooling.

In order to carry out this responsibility, it is important that education leaders examine Board of Education and school policies, procedures and practices to determine how comprehensively the diverse needs of students and employees are being addressed. Areas that require improvement can then be identified and plans made for both system and school specific changes.

To be effective, policies, procedures and practices must be regularly reviewed, communicated and implemented.