In alignment with Texas PTA and National PTA, our Council recognizes that the work of diversity, equity and inclusion requires continuous commitment and active work at all levels of PTA, and through these efforts we will continue to be a voice for all children.

National PTA policy states that PTAs at every level must:

Openly assess beliefs and practices to assure inclusiveness and guard against discrimination;
Make every effort to create a PTA board and membership that is inclusive and reflective of its community;
Encourage that all PTA activities at the school be planned by a committee which is representative of the population;
Foster programs and practices that eliminate bias, prejudice and misunderstanding within their communities;
Become acquainted with the leaders of the many diverse groups in the community and collaborate with them to increase parent, family and community involvement;
Educate their leaders and members to the needs, cultural beliefs, traditions and family structures of the population they serve; and
Propose change wherever discriminatory practices are perceived.
PTA values and appreciates diversity, which enriches and strengthens the structure of our society within our state and nation.

Diversity

Diversity is representation of, and respect for, people from different backgrounds and identities — including but not limited to race, culture, religion, socio-economic status, age, geographic area, sexual orientation and gender identification, language, learning style and physical appearance. It also involves bringing different ideas, perspectives, lived experiences, talents, values and worldviews to the table to represent the broad variety of children, caregivers, educators and communities within the PTA family.

To embody and live this belief, PTA volunteers and staff must:

Acknowledge and appreciate individual ideas, knowledge and values that are different from our own.
Seek out and learn from a diverse set of perspectives, skills and experiences, staying open to the unfamiliar and possibly uncomfortable.
Actively recruit and elect a team of leaders who represent the school community you serve.
Support units from less represented or resourced areas, backgrounds and perspectives.

To download the National PTA Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion printable, click here.

Equity

Equity provides fairness in resources, opportunities and outcomes so that all communities get what they need to be engaged and successful. This moves beyond an “equal across the board” approach to:

Recognize and address bias and privilege.
Understand and attend to specific individual and community needs, providing additional resources to those with greater needs.

To embody and live this value, PTA volunteers and staff must:

Champion fair, just and data-informed approaches to children’s educational success, health and well-being.
Prioritize and advocate for innovative, sustainable solutions that work for a diverse range of children and families, especially those underrepresented and/or marginalized in our communities.
Persist in the face of challenges and hold ourselves and our partners — including educators and policymakers — accountable.

Inclusion

Inclusion is actions, behaviors and social norms that ensure all people feel they are safe and welcomed and that they belong. This means putting diversity into action with skill and intentionality to ensure everyone feels respected, supported and valued — and can fully participate with equal voice and right to be heard. This includes actively seeking out voices that have been traditionally underrepresented and/or marginalized.

To embody and live this belief, PTA volunteers and staff must:

Work cooperatively and respectfully with colleagues with different roles, goals and approaches.
Share information, tools, resources and leadership opportunities among association members, partners and communities to increase the impact of our collective work.
Engage a diverse range of voices and lived experiences from members and prospective members — and seek to meet individuals and communities where they are — especially those currently or traditionally underrepresented and/or marginalized in our association.
Solicit stakeholder input, incorporate it in visible and meaningful ways, and share credit.
Account for cultural, status and power dynamics in our many relationships.

As per the National PTA, "Diversity, equity and inclusion cannot be the stand-alone work of one committee or even a small group of individuals. It is the work of every PTA member who decides to serve the families and children in their community." National PTA created a rubric tool that we can use as PTAs to connect the dots between DEI and our efforts around:

Membership
Programs
Advocacy
Governance and Leadership

National PTA — Resources to Bring Action to DEI

2022-23 Multicultural Calendar in English and Spanish
National PTA DEI Toolkit with downloads for DEI action plans, inclusive holiday approaches, discussing race and justice in America, LBGTQ glossary, how to respond to pushback against DEI efforts, and more
How to Engage Underrepresented Groups
Listen and subscribe to the National PTA video series dedicated to DEI topics, 10 Minutes to PTA the Transformative Way
National PTA's Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award

Leander ISD Council PTA — Ways to Promote an Inclusive Campus Culture

Inclusion Matters 1.1

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Diversity

Equity

Inclusion

National PTA — Resources to Bring Action to DEI

Leander ISD Council PTA — Ways to Promote an Inclusive Campus Culture

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