Diversity,+Equity+and+Social+Justice

= **__ Diversity, Equity and Social Justice  __** = York Region District School Board has several initiatives in place that address diversity, equity and social justice in their juristiction. It is clear from the board's mission statement that the YRDSB places a great deal of emphasis on **literacy** initiatives, and this focus remains a priority in many of the programs listed below. Also of interest is the YRDSB's **character education**, which seeks to provide a space for teacher to focus on not only academic achievement, but also promote character education in the classroom. For a teacher considering teaching in York Region awareness of the ways the board promotes diversity, equity and social justice through literacy and character education is a **__must__**.

**Since YRDSB is involved in a number of initiatives below is a guide to help you prioritize your interview preparation.** YRDSB Initiative ** ||~ ** Interview Prep: ** || ||= Should Know || ||= Must Know || ||= Should Know || ||= Should Know || ||= Must Know ||
 * = **CAYRE**
 * = **Character Matters**
 * = **Performance Plus**
 * = **Reading Recovery**
 * = **Safe Schools**

** __CAYRE (Community Alliance for York Region Education)__ : A Should Know   ** From what appears on the YRDSB site this initiative appears to be a regional program with which YRDSB is affiliated. In other words it is a community based registered charitable organization. Many of the activities are facilitated by organization outside of the classroom. However getting your class involved with some of CAYRE’s community programs would be an excellent way to promote social justice in the classroom, and encourage students to develop a social consciousness. CAYRE programs are generally developed by volunteers who are eager to take their initiatives to neighbourhood schools.

For more information on CAYRE visit: http://www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/page.cfm?id+IIC000001

__** Character Matters:  **__**   A Must Know! ** Recently YRDSB has implemented the Character Matters program in their schools in an effort to place more emphasis on character education in the classroom. **Character Matters** is a program which seeks to awaken student's social consciousness by integrating lessons of positive character into traditional curriculum. Many classrooms place a list of positive character atributes on their wall. At Vaughan Secondary School English teachers infuse **Character Matters** lessons into their course content. For example during the study of //Macbeth// students considered how //Macbeth's// character flaws led him to a tragic end.

The following principles of Character Education that appeare below are taken directly from the poster that appears in many YRDSB classrooms. To obtain your own copy visit: http://www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/pdfs/w/charactermatters/english1.pdf

We are senstive to the needs of each individual. We treat each other as we wish to be treated ourselves. We interact with others without stereotyping, prejudice or discrimination. We stand up for human rights. Some suggestions for further reading:  ** //A MUST: The complete character education policy is available at:// [|//http://www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/page.cfm?id=TPP3800000//]//. This document would be extremely useful to examine before an interview, as it explains the founding principles of character matters as well as the philosophy of education that should guide teaching about character// **//.// 
 * Respect** : We respect ourselves and treat others with courtesy, dignity, and positive regard. We honour the rights of others. We respect their belongings, the enviornment and the world around us.
 * Responsibility** : We are accountable for all our actions. We follow through on our commitments.
 * Honesty** : We behave in a sincere, trustworth, and truthful manner.
 * Empathy:** We strive to sense and appreciate the emotions of others, to "stand in their shoes." We demonstrate appreciation of and concern for their feelings
 * Fairness** :
 * Initiative**: We act without being prompted by others. We are eager to do what needs to be done without having to be told to do it.
 * Perserverance:** We stick to a goal and work hard even in the face of obstacles and challenges. We complete all tasks and assignments.
 * Integrity** : We are truthful and sincere.
 * Courage:** We face challenges directly. We seek help from others when necessary. We do the right thing even when it may be unpopular. We are able to reconize the risks and danger and do not take unwise riskes to gain the approval of others.
 * Optimism:** We maintain a positive attitude. We look on the brighter side of situations. We are able to see opportunities even in the face of adversity. We have hope for the future.

  **__Performance Plus__: A Should Know ** //Social justice// is defined by the Ontario Colation for Social Justice as the principle that all persons are entitled to "basic human needs" regardless of superficial differences such as economic disparity, class, gender, race, ethnicity, citizenship, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability or health ( [|http://www.ocsj.ca/]   ). The Colation places particular emphasis on the eradication of poverty and illeteracy and the equal opportunity for healthy personal and social development.

 The YRDSB's ** Performance-Plus Program **** was clearly created with the goal of promoting **social justice in the school. The initative provides support to those in greatest need, though based on the website information the program seems to focus mainly on elementary schools. However, Performance Plus's focus on promoting multiple strategies and interventions, providing experiences such as field trips that complement the curriculum, and promoting and devoting more time to learning are valuable concepts to apply to the high school classroom. The program is designed to help each child experience a network of support, a safe neighbourhood, a community of friends and a caring teacher. Below is a list of the YRDSB site's list of the benefits of the Performance Plus program. The ones that secondary school teachers will find the most useful are highlighted in red.

 **PERFORMANCE PLUS

Develops Students' Sense of Well-Being**
 * by instilling good learning and healthy living practices early;
 * <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by developing communication skills through early language enrichment;
 * <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by meeting their basic nutritional needs via breakfast and lunch programs; and
 * <span style="color: rgb(255,0,6);">**<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by providing role models, mentors, and the motivation to succeed at learning. **

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**Motivates Students to Learn**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**through multiple strategies and interventions;**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">through pre-school instruction;
 * <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**through mentoring programs;**
 * ** <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">through raising their self-concept; **
 * ** <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">through school leaders who raise expectations among their staff, remove prejudices and barriers to learning, and adjust their actions to genuinely serve and reflect student needs. **

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**Improves Social Knowledge and Understanding**
 * ** <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by providing experiences that complement the standard curriculum such as trips to museums and concerts; **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">** through tutorial support and devoting more time to learning; **
 * ** <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and by promoting and devoting more time to learning. **

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(The previous information was adapted from: http://www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/page.cfm?id=IIP000003)

As is clear from the introduction to this handbook (Misson Statement) literacy is a priority in the YRDSB. Like the Performance Plus initative this program also seems to be geared at younger students. However, to teacher candidates it is useful to be aware of what literacy experiences students are bringing to the classroom. //What the Program Entails:// To promote literacy from an early age YRDSB offers Reading Recovery, a short-term intervention of one-on-one tutoring for low-achieving first graders. Reading Recovery is a pre-referral, preventative program ([|http://www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca]). The expectation is that Reading Recovery will bring Grade 1 students who need it to the average performance for their class in a short period of time.
 * __Reading Recovery__: A Should Know   **

**__Safe Schools__ : A Must Know! ** In order for students to experience equity in the classroom and beyond the YRDSB has created a safe school program with the Ontario Ministry's //Safe School Act// in mind. While this initiative is touched on in the Classroom Management portion of our site, it is worth considering it in this section. In order for students to experience a safe school and learning enviornment administrators and teachers need to be consistent and equitable in their treatment of student misbehaviour.

For more information on YRDSB's safe school policies visit: http://www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/page.cfm?id=IIS000002