The Board of Directors of the Ohio Parents and Teachers Association (Ohio PTA) met in a regular board meeting on the 19th day of June 2021 and approved the following.
POSITION STATEMENT TO ADVANCE DIVERSITY, EQUITY,
AND INCLUSION IN OHIO SCHOOLS
WHEREAS, in 1970, the
National Congress of Parents and Teachers and the National Congress of Colored
Parents and Teachers came together as one association because they understood
the power of unity in our efforts. In the spirit of that unity, let us come
together at all levels—national, state, and local—to examine our policies,
procedures, and programs and eliminate any practices that disenfranchise or
discourage Black and Brown families. We must look within ourselves and then
call upon all other institutions to do the same if we are to end the practices
that so adversely affect our children; and
WHEREAS the National PTA
recognizes that African Americans have suffered from institutional racism for
over 400 years. While civil rights legislation and grassroots advocacy have
created progress, recent events compel us to recognize additional work is
needed. As a nation born out of a need to be liberated and free to live out our
true creed, we must acknowledge that racism is a learned behavior; and
WHEREAS the Ohio PTA will
continue to recommend, initiate, and support legislation and appropriation for
public schools to ensure all children and youth in Ohio a high-quality
education. Recognizing that quality education for children is directly related
to the effectiveness and efficiency of school personnel, the Ohio PTA will
recommend, initiate, and support legislation and appropriations to encourage,
recognize and provide incentives for school personnel that will improve and
benefits the education of all children and youth in Ohio. The Ohio PTA
recognizes no educational system can be of the highest quality without the
support, involvement, and cooperation of parents and the community; and
WHEREAS The Ohio PTA will
continue to support legislation and appropriations, which safeguard and relate
to the health of children and youth. Support should be given for improvement of
community programs and facilities, which provide maximum protection from moral,
emotional, and physical hazards for children and youth, and which strengthen
home and family life; and
WHEREAS the 1991 Ohio PTA
convention delegates adopted a resolution to address African American male
students to develop and support efforts to facilitate a solution to the crisis
affecting this socially disadvantaged population; and
WHEREAS the Ohio PTA believes
ALL schools must be firmly grounded in the principles and practices of
diversity, equity, and inclusion, anti-discrimination, anti-racism, anti-hate,
multiculturalism, and cultural proficiency. ALL educators must prioritize ALL
students' social-emotional well-being and diverse academic needs. ALL
administrators must provide an immediate safe, non-hostile, nurturing
environment where ALL students can thrive and realize their full potential.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED that the Ohio PTA Board of Directors wholeheartedly supports
approaches to education that embed diverse perspectives, cultures, and
identities into curriculum and discussions; value truth, facts, science, and
research; foster critical thinking and independent thought; prioritize root
cause analysis; examine complete, accurate accounts of history and modern
events; scrutinize governments, institutions, and power structures; study
inclusive canons of literature; encourage ALL students to engage in STEAM, and
challenge ALL students to go beyond their borders to seek out truth and
perspective; be it further
RESOLVED that the Ohio PTA
strongly supports the Ohio Board of Education's July 2020 Resolution to Condemn
Racism and Advance Equity and Opportunity for Black Students, Indigenous
Students, and Students of Color, and local school board resolutions that
comprehensively address racism, white supremacy culture, discrimination, hate,
implicit bias, disparate outcomes for students of color, culturally responsive
teaching, trauma-informed care, and professional development; and be it further
RESOLVED the Ohio PTA also
supports school districts and institutions that are operationalizing
intentional goals, objectives, and action plans to infuse diversity, equity,
and inclusion into their culture and practice; and be it further
RESOLVED that a copy of this
Resolution be forwarded to all Ohio state legislators, the Superintendent of
Public Instruction, and the Governor of Ohio immediately.
_________________________________________
Ana Chapman
President, Ohio PTA
