The Middleborough Public Schools Does Not Discriminate in His Educational Activities Or

Civil Rights Training and Compliance MIDDLEBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS What are Civil Rights?

Civil rights are the nonpolitical rights of a citizen; the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the 13th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and Acts of Congress.

Civil rights refer to the fair and equitable treatment of all students and employees. Civil Rights Laws Title VII – Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended ØRace, color, religion, sex, and national origin (limited English proficiency) ØSex based discrimination now encompasses sexual orientation and gender identity Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ØSex Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ØDisability Americans with Disabilities Act ØDisability Civil Rights Laws Continued Age Discrimination Act of 1975 ØAge

Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 ØRace, color & national origin

Food Stamp Act of 1977 ØRace, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, and disability Civil Rights Laws Continued Presidential action was influential in adding sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classifications. Presidential Executive Orders added classifications of discrimination when they included sexual orientation and gender identity in employment or security clearance: ØPresident Clinton’s Executive Order 12968 in 1995 involved security clearance and included sexual orientation ØPresident Clinton’s Executive Order 13087 in 1998 prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation for the federal civilian workforce ØPresident Obama’s Executive Order 13672 in 2014 prohibits discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity in federal hiring and contracting practices Civil Rights Laws Continued President Obama added gender identity to the classifications of people protected by the EECO (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) in 2010. ØIn 2012, the EEOC ruled that gender identity-based discrimination is a form of sex discrimination and thus prohibited. ØIn 2015, the EEOC ruled that sexual orientation-based discrimination is a form of sex discrimination and thus prohibited. ØRecent U.S. Supreme Court cases reinforce these additions: ØR.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes Inc. v. EEOC (decision June 2020) ØBostock v. Clayton County (decision June 2020) ØAltitude Express v. Zarda (decision June 2020) Goal of Civil Rights Eliminate barriers to program benefits

Provide equal treatment to all

Explain rights and responsibilities

Show respect and dignity to all Civil Rights Concepts

Stereotyping

Prejudice

Discrimination

**Civil Rights concepts apply to public schools in the employment context through our employment practices and also to the equal access and opportunity for all students Federal Law Prohibits Discrimination On the Basis of Any Protected Class What is a Protected Class? A protected class refers to any person or group of people who have a characteristic for which discrimination is prohibited by law

Protected classes include but are not limited to: ü Race ü Color ü Religion ü National origin ü Age ü Sex ü Disability ü Sexual Orientation ü Gender Identity ü Military status Protected Classes The concept of a “protected class” is not static. It evolves over time and is impacted by several factors: ØPresidential Action through Executive Orders ØUnited States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) Decisions ØCongressional Action through Statutes and its associated Amendments ØDecisions by other governing bodies such as the EEOC- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

◦ Several classifications of protected classes didn’t exist 20-30 years ago

◦ It is important to stay current on how these classifications are treated for your own experience as an employee and also for your application of these classifications to the treatment of our students. What is Discrimination? Definition: Treating people differently through prejudice; unfair treatment of one person or group, usually because of prejudice about race, sex, ethnicity, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity

The Middleborough Public Schools does not discriminate in his educational activities or employment practices on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, martial status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other basis protected by federal and/or state law. Civil Rights Requirements 1. Provide public notification 2. Collect and report racial & ethnic data 3. Assure Equal Access to the program 4. Provide reasonable accommodations where appropriate 5. Handle civil rights complaints in accordance with prescribed procedures 6. Conduct annual civil rights training Provide Public Notification Purpose: To inform potentially eligible persons, applicants, participants and grassroots organizations of available programs To reach as many applicants, participants, and potentially eligible persons as possible To conduct outreach to unserved or underserved populations using appropriate translation materials To ensure program access The procedures must be included in student and employee handbooks “This institution is an equal opportunity provider.”

Provide appropriate information in alternate forms, in appropriate translations as needed, and in appropriate formats for persons with disabilities.

To convey the message of equal opportunity, program materials should reflect diversity and inclusion in all program-related information, photos, and graphics. Reasonable Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities

What is a disability:

◦ Definition: physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of an individual’s major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment

◦ Disabilities are defined based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act/Americans with Disabilities Act and Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Services for Students with Disabilities (SWD)

On the basis of disability, the school district may not exclude any qualified SWD from any course, course of study, or other part of its educational program or activity Provision of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) Placement decisions made by a group of people knowledgeable about the student, the meaning of the evaluation and data, and placement options Related instructional aids or services should be available as determined by Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 team Academic achievement tests should measure ability and achievement, rather than disability SWD placed in the educational setting most appropriate for the student’s individual needs (Least Restrictive Environment [LRE]) School to Career

Accessible Facilities: individuals with disabilities may not be excluded from enjoying the benefits of a school’s programs or services because its facilities are inaccessible to or unusable by person with disabilities Facility Compliance

What is a facility? Title II of the ADA ◦ “all or any portion of buildings, structures, sites, complexes, equipment … roads, walks, passageways, parking lots, or other personal property” Section 504 ◦ “all or any portion of buildings, structures, equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, or other real or personal property” Comparable Facilities

Separate facilities provided for students who are male/female/gender nonconforming or with/without disabilities should be similar in quality and convenience Separate facilities should also be located in similar proximity to associated restrooms, classrooms, cafeteria, gymnasium, or labs Language Accommodations

Reasonable steps must be taken to ensure meaningful access to programs for persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

All procedures must also be provided in the language of any community of national origin that is approximately equal to or greater than 5% of the total enrollment of the school division Recognizing a Civil Rights Complaint

A complaint of unequal treatment can be:

§ Verbal § In Writing § Observed Handle Civil Rights Complaints In Accordance With Prescribed Procedures

Basic procedures are in place to ensure nondiscrimination ◦ continuous notice of nondiscrimination ◦ grievance procedure must be disseminated to allow students, parents, and staff process for reporting alleged discrimination ◦ annual public notice of nondiscrimination ◦ designation of a person or persons to coordinate activities under Title IX, Section 504, and Title II ◦ The Coordinator of all Civil Rights Activities: ◦ Carolyn Lyons, Director of Pupil Personnel Services ◦ 508-946-2013 ◦ [email protected] Institutional Self Evaluation

On a yearly basis, the Superintendent, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Director of Curriculum and Technology and Instruction, and the Chairman of the School Committee will engage in a process of institutional self evaluation.

This process includes several steps: ◦ 1. Surveying all staff regarding the equal access to all employees and students in the public school context ◦ 2. Surveying all families regarding the equal access to all employees and students in the public school context ◦ 3. The thorough investigation of any claims of inequality ◦ 4. A final report of any findings, conclusions, and/or changes to our practices as a school district GOLDEN RULE “Treat others as you want to be treated” Work Cited

1. Adapted from Virginia Department of Education, School Nutrition Programs 2. 2015-2016 CTE Civil Rights Review Orientation Virginia Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education Services 3. Employment Civil Rights Training for Supervisors and Managers: Training Manual, National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP)NSCEP