B: Main Concerns and Suggestions - extracted from 9 EETF Ward Forums and 2 Parent Academy Meetings Research & Information Services (June 26, 2017) Bias and discrimination Concerns Actions being undertaken or considered Racism Supporting staff in participating in difficult conversations Racism was a frequently raised concern; some about racism and in reflecting on their own potential biases participants shared stories of traumatizing experiences Training in anti-racism for staff and specific actions to combat related to racism within the anti-black racism in all schools Participants cited racism in general as a major concern, Maintain high expectations for students, especially racialized and poor backgrounds though specific attention was drawn to anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism; the recent Carl James report was cited. Better knowledge and consideration of the needs of Islamophobia It was felt that Islamophobia was on the rise, which was Muslim students, for example, planning of trips and events in relation to religious holidays having a negative effect on Muslim students and that Offering religious accommodations such as offering food board was not doing enough to address this problem in the school or on excursions/events School staff sometimes lacked knowledge or Professional development activities for staff on Islamophobia consideration around planning of schools events re: religious holidays affecting students. Some noted that students and parents expressed frustration at having to explain and advocate for their need for religious accommodations. Biased curriculum and materials Incorporate equity into curricular approach and “de-center” Participants raised the issue of bias within curriculum and the Eurocentric curriculum. Provide more training for teachers in culturally relevant and textbooks, noting in particular the Eurocentric orientation responsive pedagogy of both. Many felt that students often struggled to see Provide textbooks and materials that are more representative themselves represented. of the varied cultural and linguistic student bodies Biased teachers and staff Provide professional development related to equity for all including mandatory training for staff in anti-racism and anti-oppression
B: Main Concerns and Suggestions - extracted from 9 EETF Ward Forums and 2 Parent Academy Meetings Research & Information Services (June 26, 2017) Bias and discrimination Concerns Actions being undertaken or considered Racism Racism was a frequently raised concern; some participants shared stories of traumatizing experiences related to racism within the Participants cited racism in general as a major concern, though specific attention was drawn to anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism; the recent Carl James report was cited. Supporting staff in participating in difficult conversations about racism and in reflecting on their own potential biases Training in anti-racism for staff and specific actions to combat anti-black racism in all schools Maintain high expectations for students, especially racialized and poor backgrounds Islamophobia It was felt that Islamophobia was on the rise, which was having a negative effect on Muslim students and that board was not doing enough to address this problem School staff sometimes lacked knowledge or consideration around planning of schools events re: religious holidays affecting students. Some noted that students and parents expressed frustration at having to explain and advocate for their need for religious accommodations. Better knowledge and consideration of the needs of Muslim students, for example, planning of trips and events in relation to religious holidays Offering religious accommodations such as offering food in the school or on excursions/events Professional development activities for staff on Islamophobia Biased curriculum and materials Participants raised the issue of bias within curriculum and textbooks, noting in particular the Eurocentric orientation of both. Many felt that students often struggled to see themselves represented. Incorporate equity into curricular approach and “de-center” the Eurocentric curriculum. Provide more training for teachers in culturally relevant and responsive pedagogy Provide textbooks and materials that are more representative of the varied cultural and linguistic student bodies Biased teachers and staff Provide professional development related to equity for all including mandatory training for staff in anti-racism and anti-oppression
EETFReport.docx