Diversity, equity, and inclusion are three closely linked values held by many organizations that are working to be supportive of different groups of individuals, including people of various races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations. In Milton, we include the related topic, belonging, in our DEI strategy. The four concepts are grouped because they are interconnected and it is only in combination that their actual impact emerges.  

Diversity is the varied set of things or people that makes up a whole. Diversity is intrinsic to our daily lives. In multiplicity, we find opportunities for learning and practicing different skills: empathy, emotional intelligence, and understanding.

Equity refers to fair treatment for all people, including norms, practices, and policies in place that ensure that identity does not predict opportunities or outcomes. In contrast with equality, which assumes that all people should be treated the same, equity considers a person’s unique circumstances and adjusts treatment so that the result is equal. 

Inclusion is the degree to which organizations embrace everyone and enable them to make meaningful contributions. Intentional organizations strive to culture so inclusive that all feel their voices will be heard.

Belonging is the feeling of security and support caused by acceptance and inclusion of a person's identity. More than just being part of a group, a true feeling of belonging means you can bring your authentic self to a space while experiencing unity and shared beliefs and ideals with other members of a group.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are three closely linked values held by many organizations that are working to be supportive of different groups of individuals, including people of various races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations. In Milton, we include the related topic, belonging, in our DEI strategy. The four concepts are grouped because they are interconnected and it is only in combination that their actual impact emerges.  

Milton has a diverse student body with diverse educational needs. As a district, we must prepare our students for engagement in a complex, pluralistic, and interconnected society. 

Milton Public Schools is proud of its ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our mission is to intentionally foster institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of our schools to provide an environment of opportunity, access, and excellence. We aim to create an environment where each student, staff member, and community member can nurture their own identities, while cultivating empathy and respect for differences. In Milton Public schools, we promote critical thinking skills about bias, and foster courage to stand up against discrimination. 

As a district, we know that achieving true equity for all means we must be on a path of committed and continuous learning of anti-bias and anti-racist practices. The Department of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging works closely with school leaders to identify strengths and areas of growth through a lens of equity, and to develop improvement strategies that will best serve each school community.

We’d love to connect and collaborate with you to embrace and cultivate belonging, social-emotional well-being, and academic excellence.

Equity in Learning, one of the three pillars of Milton Public Schools’ strategic plan, means creating conditions in which all learners (students and adults) of all identities and abilities have the resources and support they need to thrive. 

Strategic Initiatives: All educators will have opportunities to build their capacity, practice, progress monitoring skills designed to improve the implementation of Equitable, Restorative and Inclusive Educational Practices to leverage each students’ unique identities while ensuring that all students are making progress academically, social-emotionally, behaviorally, cognitively and culturally. 

Priorities:

• Educators will implement an equitable PreK-12 curriculum that supports ALL learners of ALL identities and abilities

• Educators and district leaders will create structures that provide opportunity for student voice to inform the provision of appropriate instruction and needed supports.

• Educators and district leaders will routinely conduct curriculum reviews in accordance with the schedule identified in the review cycle.

• Educators will apply and assess equitable grading practices. 

• Educators will implement best instructional practices that are culturally relevant.

• Educators and leaders will use the principles of restorative justice to build school & classroom communities.

• All staff will strengthen partnerships with family/community outreach and engagement to ensure strong home/school coherence and collaboration.

• Educators and staff will review, iterate, and implement with fidelity an equitable behavioral incident reporting process. 

• Recognizing the rich backgrounds and experiences within Milton Public Schools, educators and leaders will research and utilize best practices for recruitment of diverse faculty. 

• Milton Public Schools will conduct a needs assessment that examines barriers experienced by families when seeking and accessing quality care and education for their preschool aged children with an emphasis on the need to examine whether all ethnic-racial groups and families from varied socio-economic labels have equal and equitable access to high-quality early education and care opportunities.