Diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI): What is it?
with Chief Diversity Officer Ken Morris Jr.
Art by Julien Noble using Procreate
Ankeny Community School District’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Framework was developed over the course of 2021 to 2022 in order to outline how the district will achieve its goals of success for every student and continuous improvement through informing strategic planning, policy and practice decisions, staffing decisions, and professional development.
January 4, 2023
![“So what do these terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion mean?” Ken Morris Jr: “Diversity is just those differences that make a difference. Diversity encompasses so many dimensions of difference that we don't consider as difference. Equity is getting what you need to be successful so you meet grade level and beyond. Inclusion is making certain that everyone feels valued and engaged." Things like sex, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status are all protected in public education by law by Title VI and title XIII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendment, Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Iowa Code section 216.9. All of these factors contribute to the diversity of our school, district, and all of Ankeny. According to the district website's section on the DEI Framework, “our ability to improve all students' access to high-quality learning will continue to be dependent on the district's ability to understand the competencies, conditions, culture, and context of our community as we continue to grow.” The district understanding the different aspects of student and staff's identities helps to build supports for certain marginalized groups so they can succeed as well.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DEI-Story-Julien-Noble-3-1.png)
![“So how do we make people feel included in our school culture?”Dr. DJ Johnson, head principal at Ankeny High School: "That's what I'm trying to figure out. I'm not that arrogant to think I can get everybody. We can get more people. We can use multiple approaches. That's why I go around and talk to students, I may send out a survey. We gotta do a better job of setting up discussions with students." In the larger scope of Ankeny, diversity, equity, and inclusion are also incredibly important. Recent events in Ankeny have contributed significantly to the city's culture, including the first annual Ankeny pride celebration, as well as the second annual Juneteenth celebration in the district, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved black people in the United States. These celebrations have been important steps in recognizing the different cultures of the growing population of ankeny. Ken Morris Jr: "Y'all really starting to put ankeny on the map. Y'all making ankeny a place that people feel like they have some options. They may have assumed that ankeny was one way - they're starting to see that 'wow, opportunities not only for education, good quality of life, housing?' people are starting to begin to see that, from the changing demographics, services, and opportunities. That's been really good for me, kinda helping to change some of those perceptions and seeing this place as a viable, safe, welcoming community." By Julien Noble](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DEI-Story-Julien-Noble-4-1.png)
Information about how Ankeny Schools uses the DEI Framework and Title IX can also be found on the Ankeny Community School District website.