Wake school board approves equity policy in an effort to improve outcomes for non-white or disadvantaged students

The Wake County Board of Education has adopted its first-ever equity policy.

The policy seeks to close gaps in academic outcomes among different student demographic groups. It’s largely a set of goals and efforts to be reflective, rather than a set of procedures or regulations.

The Wake County Board of Education approved the policy Wednesday night, just weeks before a new school board — featuring five new members — will be sworn in.

Board members did not discuss the policy Wednesday before voting, as the item was among several consent agenda items requiring a a single vote. No members voted in opposition.

But earlier this month, board members touted the value of the policy toward making all students feel like they have a place in school.

“I feel like all students can rise, and that looks different for every student,” Board Member Karen Carter said earlier this month.

The policy defines equity as the process of eliminating disparities in student outcomes, such as disparities in test scores among students of different races.

“There is a need to address systemic inequities that have kept generations of students from achieving their full potential,” Board Member Tara Waters said earlier this month.

On Wednesday, Susan Book, a school system parent, urged the board to pass the policy.

“Let it be a commitment to future student generations” to improve outcomes for students, Book said. She cited, among other things, the need to change disproportionate discipline rates for some students.

Emphasis on equity has ramped up in recent years, particularly when it comes to race, though conversations about disparities in educational outcomes has been around for decades.

The new equity policy outlines 11 things the district will try to do — largely analyzing shortcomings, providing extra support where it’s needed, ensure students have diverse educators and instructional materials, ensure comparable facilities across schools and change practices that may be contributing to disparate outcomes across student demographic groups.

The demographic groups include race, sex, disability and socioeconomic status, among other factors. About a third of Wake County students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. About 44% of students are non-Hispanic white, about 22% Black, about 19% Hispanic, about 11% Asian, about 4% multi-racial, less than 1% American Indian and less 1% Pacific Islander.

Students who are suspended in Wake County are disproportionately male, Black, economically disadvantaged and students with disabilities.

The policy does not attach penalties to failing to produce certain outcomes or conduct certain activities. The policy, as written, could not be used in an appeal or grievance process. For example, a student or parent appealing a school’s decision could not cite the equity policy as grounds for their appeal.