Definitions
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): Broadly outlines institutional policies, procedures and practices to foster safety, respect, belonging, access and representation for all. These initiatives are designed to create an inclusive environment for all and address inequities for individuals with marginalized identities. (ADL)
Diversity is the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs. (Ferris State University)
Equity means that each student, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status will have access to the opportunities, resources, and support they need to attain their full potential. (Cambridge Public Schools)
Inclusion: An environment and commitment to respect, represent and accept diverse social groups and identities; an environment where all people feel like they belong. (In K-12 learning environments, inclusion can sometimes also refer to the practice of integrating students with disabilities into the classroom setting.) (ADL)
Culturally Responsive Practices: Culturally responsive practices mean using students’ customs, characteristics, experiences, and perspectives as tools for better classroom instruction. (ADL)
Racial Equity means the absence of institutional and structural barriers experienced by people based on race or color, that impede access, opportunities, and results.(Cambridge Public Schools)
Bullying: Repeated actions or threats of action directed toward a person by one or more people who have (or are perceived to have) more power or status than their target in order to cause fear, distress or harm. Bullying can be physical, verbal, psychological or any combination of these three. Bullying behaviors can include name-calling, obscene gesturing, malicious teasing, rumors, slander, social exclusion, damaging a person’s belongings, threats and physical violence. (ADL)
- Elementary school version: When a person or a group behaves in ways—on purpose and over and over—that make someone feel hurt, afraid or embarrassed.
Discrimination means discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, age, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or religion by which an individual is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the school district. (Lexington Public Schools)
Harassment means unwelcome conduct on the basis of race, age, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity disability, or religion that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive to create or contribute to a hostile environment for the individual at school. Harassment may include insults, name-calling, off color jokes, threats, comments, innuendoes, notes, display of pictures or symbols, gestures or other conduct which rises to the level of a hostile environment. A hostile environment is one which unreasonably interfered with an individual’s participation in, denied the individual the benefits of, or otherwise subjected the individual to discrimination under any program or activity of the District. (Lexington Public Schools)
Bias Incident: A bias incident is conduct, speech or forms of expression including imagery that is motivated, in whole or in part, by bias against a member of a marginalized group or a group’s characteristics, including race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin. A bias incident differs from a hate crime in that no criminal activity is involved. Please note: the schools prefer not to use the term “Bias Incident.” “Bias” is not in and of itself a cause for concern. Incidents that require follow-up are incidents of bullying, harassment, discrimination, microagressions, and language that is associated with discriminatory terms or hate speech. We have listed the definition of Bias Incident because it is often used and we wanted to acknowledge that.
Microagression: An intentional or unintentional comment or action that unconsciously or unintentionally expresses or reveals a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group or a group’s characteristics, including race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin. These common occurrences include insults, slights, stereotyping, undermining, devaluing, delegitimizing, overlooking or excluding someone.