Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES continually strives to ensure that all students and employees have access to equal opportunities within a safe, inclusive, welcoming, and accepting environment. In order to achieve this goal, we will strive to sustain a culture of learning about the experiences and perspectives of those who are different from ourselves. Additionally, we are committed to applying our learning in order to grow our capacity to make certain that every student and employee is able to reach their highest potential.

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Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES is proud to work with our Erie, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus county school districts to support them in creating culturally responsive-sustaining educational systems. Our goal is to provide services to our component districts that will cultivate the Principles of Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education.

1. Consultation with the Associate Director of DEI (Single District)

   (District billed as half or full-day first from unused Co-Ser day(s) then additional Co-Ser day(s) charged)

   • Equity Learning Walks
   • Developing a district or school equity plan
   • Developing a district or school diversity, equity, and inclusion team
   • Planning to respond to instances of bias in your school district
   • Develop a district or school professional development plan (see options below)

2. Single District Workshop (Offered upon District inquiry)

   ($85 Half Day/$165 Full Day per attendee)

   • Deep Dive into the CRSE Framework
   • Understanding Our Own Diverse Identities
   • Understanding Implicit Bias

3. Single District Book Study (Offered upon District inquiry)

   ($195 per attendee – Book Provided)

   • What if I Say the Wrong Thing: 25 Habits of Culturally Effective People by Verna A. Myers

4. Half-Day PLC Summer Series for Administrators (All Districts)

   ($85 for a 4-session series per attendee)

   Join administrators from across the region in our EID Professional Learning Community. As a PLC, participants will determine meeting topics. Meetings will include interest-driven PD, meaningful collaboration, and time for application.

5. Administrator Think Tank! (All Districts – FREE)

   Join the Associate Director of EID and colleagues across the region as thought partners for two 1.5 hour sessions of participant questions and topics around EID.

   • Session 1: March 28 – 4-5:30 p.m.
   • Session 2: April 19 – 4-5:30 p.m.

Whether your goal is to expand your individual knowledge and understanding of topics and concepts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion or to support those in your sphere of influence in their growth and development, you have come to the right place. Here you will find a living repository of resources from the New York State Education Department as well as a plethora of article and video resources from individuals and organizations who are experts in the field of DEI.

• NYSED Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework
• NYS Board of Regents Framework on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in New York’s Schools: A Call to Action
• NYSED Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Professional Development Toolkits

Cultures of Dignity / Dignity The Top 10 Elements: A Tiny Guide

These quick guides help us define dignity and provide us with the power to shift our engagement with, and perspectives about, others to be more compassionate and productive.

The ABC’s of Creating the LGBTQ-Friendly Classroom

This article from the National Association for Music Education provides simple strategies for creating affirming and welcoming environments for students who identify as a member of the LGBTQ community.

Educational Equity – What does it mean? How do we know when we reach it?

The Center for Public Education’s 2016 Research Brief provides highlights on status equitable education in relationship to funding, high-level curriculum, teacher qualification, and discipline.

Edutopia: Educational Equity Resources

Here you will find current articles with topics related to educational equity.

Navigation DEI in Schools: Five Crucial Considerations

Creating a safe environment where all students feel like they belong requires a systemwide commitment to equity, inclusivity, and diversity.

What is Redlining?

This History Channel article describes how FHA policies and practices created and sustained a system of redlining.

How the GI Bill’s Promise Was Denied to a Million Black WWII Veterans

The GI Bill was designed to provide veterans opportunities to prosper in a variety of ways, from unemployment benefits, to housing, to education benefits. This article outlined the barriers that prevented Black veterans from reaping those benefits.