Welcome to the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Equity for All Students to Achieve Their Full Potential.
A strong public education system works for all of Arizona's students. Our Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion works across the Arizona Department of Education to advance the program area's goals and ensure Arizona's students and teachers are served equitably. EDI works with our agency's staff on resources and policies that support all of Arizona's students, families, and educators. EDI also oversees program areas critical to the work of equity, diversity, and inclusion:
- The Office of Indian Education (OIE) administers federal and state programs to meet the educational and cultural needs of Native American students. The office implements A.R.S. 15-244, Indian Education Act, providing outreach to all of Arizona's local educational agencies (LEAs) on reservations and urban areas with high populations of American Indian students. OIE provides liaison services between the Arizona Department of Education and the Federal Schools and Sovereign Schools on mutual interest and importance issues. Additionally, they offer technical assistance in collaboration with all program areas at ADE that interface with these LEAs. Conferences and training, and parental involvement activities are also provided onsite and at ADE. Learn more.
- Unique Populations delivers targeted support to educators, families, and students. We specifically work to support multilingual students, those experiencing homelessness, placed in foster care, or are a part of migrant families. Learn more.
- Though not a formalized program area like OIE or Unique Populations, EDI does include a Summer Learning Program Coordinator who oversees the coordination of the various internal and external program areas that provide summer learning and opportunities. Learn more.
The organizational chart of the office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is representative of areas of responsibility that fall within the purview of the division. Important to note that the EDI Division focuses on State and Federally funded programs that target specific populations and include student populations for whom there is data that illustrates disproportionate and longstanding negative achievement and climate outcomes. It is critical for all student groups to be explicitly identified, represented, and provided targeted and meaningful services to address their educational, social, and emotional needs.
Equity Framework
Defining Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Educational equity means that all students are provided with the resources they need to produce comparably positive academic and social outcomes regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, language, religion, nationality, immigration status, cognitive or physical ability, family background or structure, income, or zip code.
Workplace equity, diversity, and inclusion in the Arizona Department of Education means that all staff, regardless of position, role, work experience, and work style, are valued for their expertise, treated with respect, receive opportunities and support to excel, and have equitable outcomes regarding the development and advancement of their careers.
Includes all how people differ, encompassing the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another; including race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, language, religion, nationality, immigration status, cognitive or physical ability, family background or structure, income, zip code. This definition also includes a diversity of ideas, perspectives, and values. Individuals may affiliate with multiple identities.
It is the act of creating environments in which any individual or group is welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to participate fully. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces difference and offers respect in words and actions for all people.
An inclusive group is by nature diverse; however, a diverse group isn’t always inclusive.
Six Goals of Education Equity
The six equity goals identify the elements to be addressed in policies, procedures, practices, and programs to eliminate inequities and ensure equity.
Comparable positive results on all measures for student and staff populations provide evidence that inequities are identified and resolved.
Admission and engagement, without obstruction, for all students and staff, to participate equitably in all services or opportunities with positive outcomes.
Interactions between individuals and groups are accepted, valued, respected, safe, and secure without fear of threat, humiliation, danger, or disregard.
Necessary and appropriate supports are provided to attain positive, equitable outcomes for all students and staff.
Resources are allocated equitably to ensure positive, equitable outcomes for all students and staff.
Stakeholders work collaboratively to ensure positive, equitable outcomes for all students and staff.
