FILE: JAA
EQUITABLE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board directs that all students enrolled in the schools under its jurisdiction shall be afforded equal educational opportunities in strict accordance with law. No student shall be denied access to or benefit from any educational program or activity or from a co-curricular or athletic activity on the basis of the student’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectational or sexual orientation or sex, social or economic status, or disability. The School Board shall assure that all student are free from harassment, sexual or otherwise.
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board is committed to the success of all students and to achieving the goal of ensuring that students are ready for college, career and life. To accomplish this, the School Board shall provide an equitable educational environment for all students.
For purposes of this policy, equity means providing the opportunities and resources required for student success. The concept of educational equity goes beyond simple equality, where all students are treated the same, to fostering a barrier-free environment in which all students, regardless of their background or personal attributes are extended both the opportunities and resources required for success. In addition, the School Board seeks to eliminate any practices throughout the School District that perpetuate disparities among students so that no student shall be prevented from achieving their full potential.
In committing to provide equitable educational opportunities for all students in all of its schools, the School Board establishes the following objectives:
To raise the achievement of all students
To allocate resources to meet the needs of students who require additional educational support to achieve academic success
To allocate resources to extend opportunities so that advanced students achieve their full potential
To provide culturally responsive education
To significantly reduce the racial disproportionality within all aspects of education, including student discipline, special education and advanced programs
To ensure all students, regardless of race, socioeconomic class, and other factors have the opportunity and resources to succeed, in a career or in continued learning
The Superintendent shall be authorized to develop regulations, procedures and practices to implement this policy, including an action plan with clear accountability. The Superintendent shall report to the School Board at least annually on progress toward equity throughout the School District.
Pursuant to School Board policy, incidents of sexual harassment and/or intimidation and harassment and/or intimidation because of a student's race, color, national origin, or disability are prohibited and procedures are provided for reporting and investigating such incidents and for the disposition thereof.
Adopted: September 21, 1978
Revised: October, 2002
Revised: August 4, 2022
Ref: 20 USC 1401 et seq. (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
20 USC 1681 et seq. (Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972)
29 USC 621 et seq. (Age Discrimination in Employment)
29 USC 794 (Nondiscrimination under Federal Grants and Programs)
42 USC 1983 (Civil Action for Deprivation of Rights)
42 USC 2000c (1-9) (Civil Rights-Public Education)
42 USC 2000d (1-6) (1964 Civil Rights Act)
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:111, 46:2254
Singleton v. Jackson Municipal Separate School District, 419 F.2d 1211 (5th Cir. 1969)
San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez, 93 S.Ct. 1278 (1973)
Ross v. Moffitt, 94 S.Ct. 437 (1974)
Regents of University of California v. Bakke, 98 S.Ct. (1978)
Board minutes, 8-4-22
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board