Our Values
- Diversity — Diversity is the representation of all groups, especially across race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
- Equity — Equity is meeting the needs of all groups, particularly those who have been underserved or denied equal access to resources and opportunities.
- Inclusion — Inclusion is creating an environment where all groups are accepted, respected, and engaged to meaningfully participate.
- Integration — Integration is the process of deliberately dismantling oppressive structures, policies, and practices intended to hoard access to opportunity. School integration means ending race- and class-based segregation in schools. Integrated schools are schools that are intentionally diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Our Principles
- Diverse, equitable, and inclusive schools are good for all kids.
Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity in schools is important, but it is not enough. We must pay attention to equity and inclusion to avoid promoting diversity that is merely superficial. True integration requires equitable resources and an inclusive learning environment so all students have what they need to be successful.
- We are stronger together.
School segregation is the foundation of educational inequity in America, and we are going to have to work together to solve it. That means listening and learning from all voices in the community to identify equitable policies and programs that promote integration.
- Thurgood was right.
“Unless our children begin to learn together, there is little hope that our people will ever learn to live together.” – Justice Thurgood Marshall, Milliken v. Bradley (1974)
This issue is about schools–and it’s bigger. True integration is a step toward racial equity, justice, and healing in our society. At a time when we seem to be growing more divided, we need to come together.