February 22, 2023 Office for Civil Rights Issues Fact Sheet on Diversity & Inclusion Activities The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently released a fact sheet for educators, parents, and students on the legality of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training in federally funded spaces. The fact sheet confirms that DEI training and similar activities are generally consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In most circumstances, they are permitted in states, school districts, public schools, and public and private colleges. About the Fact Sheet This fact sheet was created in response to confusion regarding the legality of diversity, equity, and inclusion activities in schools. It clarifies that federal civil rights laws do not categorically prohibit schools from offering activities such as instruction on the impact of racism, cultural competency training, or school climate surveys. Download the Fact Sheet Fact Sheet: Diversity & Inclusion Activities Under Title VI | English Fact Sheet: Diversity & Inclusion Activities Under Title VI | Spanish About Title VI Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. Activities intended to further objectives such as diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not prohibited under Title VI. Title VI allows activities such as: diversity, equity, and inclusion training instruction in or training on the impact of racism or systemic racism cultural competency training or other nondiscrimination trainings efforts to assess or improve school climate, including through creation of student, staff, and/or parent teams, use of community focus groups, or use of climate surveys student assemblies or programs focused on antiharassment or antibullying investigations of and issuance of reports concerning the causes of racial disparities within a school use of specific words in school policies, programs, or activities, such as equity, discrimination, inclusion, diversity, systemic racism, or similar terms Learn More OCR is responsible for the enforcement of Title VI. To contact OCR for technical assistance, call 1-800-421-3481 (TDD: 1-800-877-8339) or email OCR@ed.gov. The Department of Education also funds regional Equity Assistance Centers, which provide technical assistance and training at the request of school boards and other related governmental agencies on issues such as racial harassment, prejudice reduction, and other issues occasioned by desegregation. To contact the Equity Assistance Centers, visit the Department of Education’s website. To learn more at www.ed.gov/ocr.
February 8, 2023 Collaborating for Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood: Focus on Attitudes and Beliefs This course looks at how our actions are shaped by our attitudes and beliefs, and how societal attitudes and beliefs have shaped service systems. Participants will have opportunities to explore the benefits of inclusion for all children and all adults, reflect on how their individual attitudes and beliefs were developed, and how they impact their practice, their colleagues and the service system. They will identify strategies teachers can use to create a sense of belonging for all children in the classroom, explore perceptions about disability and reflect on how attitudes and beliefs impact early care and education practices. Session Details Session Date: March 30 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Location: 5604 Solway Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Instructor: Shawna Mohler and Jillian Miller Standards: Child Development and Learning in Context, Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator Registration Registration is now open. This session is eligible for 2 hours of PQAS and Act 48 credit. Registration closes on March 28, 2023. More Information For questions about the course or credit, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org
Collaborating for Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood: Focus on Attitudes and Beliefs This course looks at how our actions are shaped by our attitudes and beliefs, and how societal attitudes and beliefs have shaped service systems. Participants will have opportunities to explore the benefits of inclusion for all children and all adults, reflect on how their individual attitudes and beliefs were developed, and how they impact their practice, their colleagues and the service system. They will identify strategies teachers can use to create a sense of belonging for all children in the classroom, explore perceptions about disability and reflect on how attitudes and beliefs impact early care and education practices. Session Details Session Date: March 9 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Virtual Instructor: Shawna Mohler and Jillian Miller Standards: Child Development and Learning in Context, Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator Registration Registration is now open. This session is eligible for 2 hours of PQAS and Act 48 credit. Registration closes on March 7, 2023. More Information For questions about the course or credit, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org
February 3, 2023 Pittsburgh Regional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Educators Conference Join the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) at this annual conference to explore culturally aware and responsive ways to foster an inclusive environment for our marginalized learners. Educational leaders will discuss topics involving race and ethnicity, LGBTQIA+ and gender identity, and serving students with disabilities. Conference Details Saturday, March 25 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites One Bigelow Square Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Cost for AIU employees and staff of AIU member school districts: Free Cost for others: $40 Register Learn More This conference is presented by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Attendees will have the option to attend a number of informative sessions throughout the day, including a presentation by keynote speaker Eva Reign, star of Pittsburgh-native Billy Porter’s directorial debut, “Anything’s Possible.” The film, released in 2022, centers on the experience of a Black transgender teenager. Educators can earn up to six Act 48 credit hours by attending the event.
