Introduction

Main Issues | Strategies | Links

Welcome! This online toolkit is intended to serve as an introductory primer to many key facets of diversity for NEA members and other members of the education community.  Here, you will find basic information, a short list of strategies and tools, and suggestions for how to find out more.  Neither the short list of topics in this toolkit nor the content within each topic is meant to be exhaustive.  For more in-depth information, please visit the Web links that are listed under each topic.  More information will be added to this toolkit periodically; visit us again soon!

Diversity can be defined as the sum of the many ways that people are both alike and different. There are many dimensions of diversity. These dimensions include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, religion, mental and physical ability, class, and immigration status. The field of education includes diverse professional job categories ranging from classroom teachers to education support professionals to higher education faculty to retired professionals. While diversity itself is not a value-laden term, the way that people react to diversity is driven by values, attitudes, beliefs, etc. Full acceptance of diversity is a major principle of social justice.

The concept of diversity presents both extraordinary promise and daunting challenges for education employees. On the one hand, educators and students have more opportunities than ever to learn about different experiences, languages and cultures, whether through classroom curriculum, the Internet, or a conversation with a peer or a neighbor. This learning enriches us and prepares us for life in our 21st century, global society.

On the other hand, the education community faces growing challenges related to diversity, such as the academic achievement gaps between students of diverse backgrounds; racial segregation and resegregation in our schools; gender inequalities and sex discrimination; bullying and harassment of students who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender; educating students with disabilities; staggering disparities in educational resources based on class or income; access to education for immigrants; respecting students of all religious backgrounds; and so forth. Institutional hurdles such as high-stakes testing and the lack of resources for "nonessential" subjects make addressing the issue of diversity even more challenging

Main Issues

The NEA position on diversity has been spelled out by the NEA Representative Assembly:

The National Education Association believes that a diverse society enriches all individuals. Similarities and differences among race, ethnicity, color, national origin, language, geographic location, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, physical ability, size, occupation, and marital, parental or economic status form the fabric of a society.

The Association also believes that education should foster the values of appreciation and acceptance of the various qualities that pertain to people as individuals and as members of diverse populations.

The Association further believes in the importance of observances, programs, and curricula that accurately portray and recognize the roles, contributions, cultures, and history of these diverse groups and individuals.

The Association encourages affiliates and members to become part of programs and observances that may include cultural and heritage celebrations and/or history months.

—Resolution B-9. Diversity. NEA Handbook (2008)

Strategies

Here are some basic strategies to get started in your exploration of diversity:

• Seize opportunities to learn about people of different backgrounds, cultures and experiences—whether through a book, a film, or a conversation
• Examine your own attitudes and beliefs about people who are different than you
• Foster discussion in your workplace about diversity
• Assess the diversity in your school and how students of different backgrounds are faring
• Pursue ways to create diversity awareness or to celebrate diversity in your school community.

We hope that you will gain useful information, inspiration, and energy from this resource. Please don't hesitate to give us feedback on any part of the Diversity Toolkit.

Links

For more information about diversity:

• Contact the NEA National Diversity Training Cadre
• Diversity resources may be found at: www.nea.org/webresources/diversitylinks.html

Please contact us if you have questions, suggestions, or feedback regarding this resource.