Glossary of Terms and Frequently Asked Questions

Equity is removing the predictability of success or failure that currently correlates with any social or cultural factor (such as race), examining biases, and creating inclusive environments. (Adopted from National Equity Project) Equity Asks: Who is trying to get into the room but can’t?

Inclusion is putting diversity into action by creating an environment of involvement, respect, and connection – where the richness of ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives are harnessed to create value. (Source: Diversity Journal) Inclusion Asks: Have everyone’s ideas been heard? 

Diversity is having different types of people from a wide range of identities with different perspectives, experiences, etc. (Source: Merriam-Webster) Diversity Asks: Who is in the room? 

Schools and buildings that create a sense of belonging allow students and staff to thrive by creating spaces where they can be their authentic selves each day. Belonging Asks: Do people want to stay in the room? 

Governor Murphy signed A4454 which requires school districts to include instruction on diversity and inclusion as part of the implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

In addition to state law, our schools have been and will always be invested in fostering the social-emotional wellness of our students. Teaching students empathy, practicing positive social-emotional competencies, and understanding diversity are not only educationally beneficial but also essential for 21st-century skills needed in the workplace. Skills like emotional intelligence, cultural diversity and collaboration allows students to thrive in college and/or career, and we want to ensure we are teaching students skills they will need today and tomorrow.

This approach further supports the attainment of the mission of the Summit Public Schools, that the district “in partnership with the community, will support and sustain an excellent system of learning that engages all students in compelling work; educates them to their highest intellectual, creative, and individual potentials; promotes pride in diversity, and results in responsible and productive citizens of the highest integrity.”

Attention to equity helps remove obstacles that impact academic success for students who face challenges based on gender, identity, disability, language, race, ethnicity, economic status, family model, and more. Inclusion efforts value each and every student and proactively work toward providing class environments, curriculum, and instruction where all feel recognized and thus have the opportunity to succeed. We aim for all students to be seen, heard, and supported to reach their full potential.

Summit Public Schools is committed to supporting students by providing an equitable education and inclusive culture. We believe diversity and inclusion enrich the academic experience and help us achieve the District’s mission.

Summit Public Schools supports our stakeholders in this effort through professional development for teachers, attention to achievement and wellness of students performing both above and below grade level, annual reviews of texts, and the expansion of social-emotional programming and robust counseling resources for students. 

During the 2021-2022 school year, Summit Public Schools will be conducting an Equity Audit of instruction, programming, community perceptions, and student achievement in order to develop a comprehensive picture of our practices as they relate to providing an equitable educational experience for all students.

Additionally, our federally allotted Title I and Title III funds support additional efforts for students in need based on socioeconomic status and through our English as a Second Language programming.

An equity audit is a tool used to review current practices to develop a comprehensive picture of how equitable the Summit Public Schools educational experience is for each student. The data collected from the equity audit will highlight the equitable practices already embedded within our systems, and will also show if there are any programmatic barriers that may impede full participation, access, and opportunity for all students to receive an equitable and excellent education. 

There will be four areas within the equity audit: 

1. Instructional Equity -  Summit Public Schools attracts and retains highly qualified instructional staff for every classroom.  An exploration of instructional equity provides a picture that will allow us to effectively determine the professional learning needs of staff and meet those needs system-wide.
2. Programmatic Equity - Summit Public Schools provides an impressive array of programs for students including honors and AP courses, remedial supports such as Learning Workshop, ESL services, Special Education services as well as a wealth of extracurricular activities.  Programmatic equity develops a picture of who is being served by these programs and identifies any barriers in access that may exist. 
3. Summit School Community Perceptions - In this process, it is important to elevate community voices to promote equity and achievement within our school systems. We need to include the voices of multiple stakeholders to best understand the current state of equity and inclusion within our systems and schools. This data will help us develop a clear picture of thoughts and feelings around our current systems and structures. 
4. Student Achievement Equity - Achievement equity allows us to develop a picture of student and staff needs that will continue to allow each student in Summit Public Schools to have an equitable and excellent education experience, ensuring access to courses and content that meet the varied needs of our student populations. 

Absolutely not. This initiative helps everyone by creating a more inclusive school environment that focuses on all student-staff relationships, student experiences, and lived culture. Creating an equitable environment is not about holding back any student; it is about removing obstacles that may impact student success, and giving teachers and staff the professional support and development they need to ensure all students reach their full potential.

No, this work supports academic achievement through increasing student engagement and strengthening individual academic identity. As always, we continue to assess our students’ Reading, English Language Arts, Math, and Science levels to ensure achievement and track data over time. We engage in best-practice reading, writing, and math intervention practices and build professional development schedules to support implementation.

The passage of A4454 requires school districts to include instruction on diversity and inclusion as part of the implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Livingston, Kent Place, Berkeley Heights, Westfield, and Millburn are just a few of our neighboring districts also currently engaged in this work.

No, Critical Race Theory is not embedded within the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and therefore is not being taught in our curriculum or our classrooms. It is important to remember that teaching social studies and history will at times require a discussion about historic instances of racism. Students should understand the historically accurate past of our nation and that includes some difficult history around racial issues.

Please CLICK HERE to read an article shared by the U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Educational Sciences.

Summit Public Schools students and families will be involved in the Community Perspectives portion of the Equity Audit and will be able to share their experiences and perspectives about Summit Public Schools. Students will have the opportunity to answer grade-appropriate questions through a district-wide survey and have the option to participate in voluntary focus groups.  All survey questions will be available here on the district website.

Once data has been collected and all voices have been heard, an Equity Committee comprised of teachers and administrators will work to create an action plan based on results of the Equity Audit and will oversee Summit’s efforts to implement actions moving forward. Additional information will be forthcoming in 2022 regarding community involvement in the Equity Audit process. 

Please contact Crystal Marr, Director of Student Personnel Services, at cmarr@summit.k12.nj.us, if you have additional questions or to learn more about DEIB work.