New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 6A - EDUCATION
Chapter 7 - MANAGING FOR EQUALITY AND EQUITY IN EDUCATION
Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 6A:7-1.4 - Responsibilities of the district board of education

1. Recognize and value the diversity of persons and groups within the community and promote the acceptance of persons of diverse backgrounds regardless of the protected categories listed at N.J.A.C. 6A:7-1.1(a); and

2. Promote equitable educational opportunity and foster through the policies, programs, and practices of the district board of education a learning environment that is free from all forms of prejudice, discrimination, and harassment based upon the protected categories listed at N.J.A.C. 6A:7-1.1(a).

1. Prior to developing the comprehensive equity plan, the district board of education shall assess the school district's needs for achieving equity in educational activities and programs based on an analysis of data including, but not limited to, National Assessment of Educational Progress and State assessment results, preschool-through-grade-12 promotion/retention data, preschool-through-grade-12 completion rates, and re-examination and re-evaluation of classification and placement of students in special education programs if there is overrepresentation within the protected categories listed at N.J.A.C. 6A:7-1.1(a); staffing practices; student demographic data; attendance data; quality of program data; the Federally mandated Civil Rights Data Collection; student access to educational activities and programs; discipline, graduation rate, and postsecondary enrollment; student, staff, and community member interviews; enrollment and scoring in advanced classes; teacher workforce diversity; and stakeholder satisfaction data. The needs assessment shall identify discriminatory practices and other barriers to achieving equity in educational activities and programs, if applicable.

2. The comprehensive equity plan shall address:

3. The comprehensive equity plan shall include measurable and actionable goals, objectives, timelines, and benchmarks for measuring progress.

4. The district board of education shall submit the comprehensive equity plan to the executive county superintendent for confirmation of completion.

1. The school district will continue to maintain compliance with N.J.A.C. 6A:7; Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Guidelines for the Desegregation of Public Schools in New Jersey; and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794) ;

2. The school district will perform all required activities as provided for in this chapter and annually report such assurances to the district board of education;

3. The school district will continue to implement its comprehensive equity plan; and

4. The school district has evaluated the comprehensive equity plan for effectiveness and has submitted a revised comprehensive equity plan to the executive county superintendent, if necessary.

5. The district board of education will provide a resolution approving the affirmative action officer for each school year of the three-year comprehensive plan.