Two Marin County education agencies were each awarded $200,000 state grants to enhance inclusivity and diversity in programs involving staff, students and curricula over the next three years.
The Ross Valley School District and the Marin County Office of Education were among several dozen school districts and other agencies statewide selected for the anti-bias grants by the California Department of Education.
“We’re really excited,” said Julia Wolcott, curriculum and instruction director at the Ross Valley School District. She announced the grant award to trustees at their board meeting on Jan. 11.
“We’ve already done a lot of work in this area, but we’re feeling like the district is ready to take the next steps and take this deeper,” Wolcott said.
Marci Trahan, superintendent at the Ross Valley district, said it plans to use the funds for “site-based equity coaching,” rooting out implicit bias, “culturally responsive pedagogy,” inclusive celebratory events and staff time to develop history and social studies plans.
The Ross Valley district has been working for at least five years to make equity a priority, according to the district’s web page at rossvalleyschools.org/equity.
“We value and are committed to all members of our Ross Valley community — our students, staff and families,” Wolcott says on the website. “We are examining our policies, practices, systems, curriculum and data and making necessary changes.”
The district’s parent and guardian racial equity committee has also developed a plan for the school year. The effort includes “actively engaging, listening and responding to the voices and needs of our marginalized students, families and staff,” according to the plan.
“We are equally committed to building the leaders of tomorrow who will combat racism and promote equity throughout their lives,” the plan states.
Laura Trahan, an assistant superintendent at the Marin County Office of Education, said it will use the grant to partner with Marin nonprofit Beyond Differences to examine hiring policies, classroom activities and professional development to see where more inclusivity can be incorporated.
“We want to make sure we have the infrastructure that fosters a sense of belonging,” Trahan said. “This is another layer to make sure this is a safe and wonderful place to work.”
The grant will also address teaching methods at special and alternative education programs such as Marin’s Community School, an alternative school that operates at the county office’s campus in San Rafael.
“We know some students need more to get the same results as other kids,” Trahan said. “Do we have everything teachers need to do the job?”
