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Racial Equity Work

District Mission

The mission of STMA Schools is to provide a safe educational environment where students develop lifelong learning skills that nurture positive attitudes and self-worth.

STMA Kids

STMA's Equity Vision

STMA will eliminate racial predictors of student success. 

STMA's Equity Mission     

We will:

  • Come to a deeper understanding of the impact of race and racism personally, on our educational systems, and on our broader society as Americans.
  • Develop racial equity leadership capacity across our system.

This will lead to:

  • Transformation of expectations and systems. 
  • The fostering of student success.
  • The creation and sustaining of high-quality programming.
  • An environment in which ALL students can thrive. 

10 Minnesota Commitments to Equity

Creating equitable opportunities is dependent upon having inclusive policies and practices that represent all students, and providing each student increased access to and creating meaningful participation in high-quality learning experiences where each student realizes positive outcomes.

  1. Prioritize equity: Set and communicate a vision and targets for high outcomes for all students.
  2. Start from Within: Focus on leadership, diversity, and inclusiveness.
  3. Measure what matters: Use relevant and meaningful data.  Hold each other accountable for equity.
  4. Go local: Engage and develop leaders at all levels.  Empower community partners in continuous improvement work.
  5. Follow the money: Allocate resources to learners who need them most.
  6. Start early: Invest in families and learners who need them most.
  7. Monitor equitable implementation of standards: Improve the quality of curriculum and instruction for all students.
  8. Value people: Focus on teachers and leaders.  Develop the people you have.  Ensure equitable access to the best teachers.
  9. Improve conditions for learning: Focus on school culture, climate, and social-emotional development.  Connect teaching to the experiences, assets, and needs of students.
  10. Give students options: Empower students with high-quality options to support every learner's success.

Adapted from the Council for Chief State Officers. Florida Department of Education and the Midwest & 7Plains Equity Assistance Center (MAP Center).
Revised July 25, 2018

Racial Equity work in STMA is driven by the Mission of the district as well as the Minnesota Department of Education's Ten Commitments to Equity (above).

STMA on CRT

A current topic that is garnering attention locally and nationally is Critical Race Theory (CRT). There are many thoughts about this theory and questions about how it affects STMA students and staff.

It is important to note that CRT is just that, a theory. Scholars develop and use theories in an effort to interpret and understand the world and systems around them.

There are many definitions of CRT depending on the source and author. As a school district we choose to not share a definition and invite STMA stakeholders who would like additional information to perform their own research and reach their own conclusions.

We want to be clear that CRT is not a part of STMA’s curriculum nor is it taught in our schools. Likewise, there are no plans to include it in STMA’s high quality curriculum and instruction.

At STMA, we strive to ensure a fair, equitable, and high-quality education for all of our students. We value all individuals and treat each other with kindness, respect, and dignity. These provisions are key initiatives within the district’s Strategic Plan, which directs that all of our students are given the same opportunities to learn the knowledge and skills necessary for academic success and that their families are made aware of, and have access to, the supports and assistance necessary for each student to reach their full potential. We are committed every day to providing all of our students with a safe educational environment where they are strongly encouraged to develop lifelong learning skills that nurture positive attitudes and self-worth. In realizing this commitment to students, we stand firmly against discrimination and racism, in any form, and acknowledge that students cannot learn in an environment where such behavior is tolerated. 

We value our strong partnership with families and the community and are grateful for their support, generosity, and trust. We unite as a school community in celebrating our differences in our quest to create a better tomorrow and a brighter future for all.