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My field of education is Educational Leadership, certification with Texas Principal Certification.   My professional perspective for my Legal Guide topic is systemic racism.  I chose this topic because awareness about how students and staff that are minorities are not always being taught the correct curriculum or are being treated differently.  Some students are also not treated fairly during some of those lessons.  My audience will include students, parents, staff, and administration.

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Ensuring that we are educating our students fairly and without discrimination is of upmost importance to the education field.  This legal issue impacts my work in many ways.  First, by making sure that the students are not being singled out based on their race or ethnicity, second is making sure that staff has proper professional development.
These are the legal requirements that I regularly to ensure that the school is in compliance.
(D) Standard 3.4. The educator shall not exclude a student from participation in a program, deny benefits to a student, or grant an advantage to a student on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, national origin, religion, family status, or sexual orientation (19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2.).

(B) Teachers acquire, analyze, and use background information (familial, cultural, educational, linguistic, and developmental characteristics) to engage students in learning.

(i) Teachers connect learning, content, and expectations to students' prior knowledge, life experiences, and interests in meaningful contexts.

(ii) Teachers understand the unique qualities of students with exceptional needs, including disabilities and giftedness, and know how to effectively address these needs through instructional strategies and resources.

(iii) Teachers understand the role of language and culture in learning and know how to modify their practices to support language acquisition so that language is comprehensible and instruction is fully accessible (19 Tex. Admin. Code §149.1001).

(C) Teachers design lessons to meet the needs of diverse learners, adapting methods when appropriate.

(i) Teachers differentiate instruction, aligning methods and techniques to diverse student needs, including acceleration, remediation, and implementation of individual education plans.
(19 Tex. Admin. Code §149.1001).

A few best practices that can be incorporated in the classroom are:
1.  Cultivating awareness, becoming more aware of our own biases.
2.  Increase empathic communication, having the ability to understand the perspective of others.
3.  Practice mindfulness,  being aware of others feelings and emotions in a nonjudgmental way.

An emerging issue that administrators and teachers should be aware of is the impact that COVID has on our students learning. During COVID there were students who lost instruction due to lack of internet or not having someone at home who would help the students.

Adam Solis, Principal, Littlefield Junior High School

References:

Educators’ Code of Ethics, 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2

Educators’ Code of Ethics, 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 149.1001

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National Education Association (NEA) is a professional association that has many resource to educate staff, parents and students to help end discrimination.  The following is a quote that is on the NEA website, "If we don't achieve racial justice in our schools, we cannot expect to achieve it in our society.  It begins with us." (Anderson, Kim, NEA Executive Director).  This quote is truly a statement that all educators can relate to.

References:
National Education Association. Justice & Equitable Schools. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/just-equitable-schools

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The NEA was founded on the belief that every student deserves a great public education. But in too many communities, years of systemic racism and unconscious bias have limited opportunities for many students and contributed to a growing education gap.

In response, NEA's Center for Social Justice has created a professional development program designed to help educators identify and correct explicit and implicit discrimination in their classrooms. Student-centered, research-based, and educator-driven, our trainings and resources are helping educators across the country adjust their practice to better serve students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, promoting racial and social justice in their communities.

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Every student deserves a safe, welcoming, affirming learning environment. We provide the tools for educators to make it happen.

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Virginia Mercury

Masters, K. (2021, April, 1.). Virginia teachers are going to be assessed on ‘cultural competency.’  What does that mean?  https://www.virginiamercury.com/2021/04/01/virginia-teachers-are-going-to-be-assessed-on-cultural-competency-what-does-that-mean/

The article discusses how a test question on a standardized test study guide gave misleading information regarding early African culture.  One mother became an education advocate to help change how Virginia teaches Black History.  Teachers in Virginia have had a difficult time with outdated curricula; critical moments in African American History have been misrepresented.  Cultural competence is at the forefront of this article regarding how individuals are not taught equality and that the teachers do not understand the values and beliefs of different cultures.  In 2021, a requirement was passed that the following will be evaluated on the “cultural competency” of all teachers, principals, and superintendents.   New standards were passed to help fill the gaps and to help students feel inclusive in the classroom.  Teachers will be trained to help them become aware of the new standards and how to create a culturally inclusive environment.

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Texas Tribune

How a Black high school principal was swept into a “critical race theory” maelstrom in a primarily white Texas suburb

https://www.texastribune.org/2021/09/18/colleyville-principal-critical-race-theory/

A black principal at Grapevine-Colleyville ISD was placed on administrative leave almost a year after writing a letter to the school community.  Colleyville has about 1% of its residents who identify as Black.  In the letter, Mr. Whitfield made a statement regarding systemic racism. For a year, there were no negative comments regarding the statement until a former school board candidate named Mr. Clark used the letter against Mr. Whitfield.  Mr. Clark accuses Mr. Whitfield of teaching “critical race theory.”   Mr. Whitfield never instructed his teachers to teach the subject, nor did he ever teach the subject himself.  Many community members and students support Mr. Whitfield by speaking at school board meetings and conducting walkouts during school.  This is not the first instance where Mr. Whitfield feels his race has affected how he is judged and seen as a principal.  Mr. Whitfield's efforts to keep his job were not enough the school board decided not to renew his contract.

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Federal Entity: The United States Congress

*Congress can propose a new law and then is

ratified by the state.

State Entity: Texas Legislature

*The state constitutional law is approved by

public elections.

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." (U.S. Constitution Amendment XIV)

Establish a public school

No child living in that state can be denied an education

Reference:
U.S. Constitution amend. XIV.

URL: Cornell Law School – Legal Information

Institure

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/

constitutional_law

URL: Texas Constitution and Statutes

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/

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Federal Entity: The United States Congress

*Congress writes and adopts federal laws.

State Entity: Texas Legislature

*State Statutes – laws written and adopted

by the legislation.

Texas Education Code – resource

Sec. 4.001.  PUBLIC EDUCATION MISSION AND OBJECTIVES.  (a)  The mission of the public education system of this state is to ensure that all Texas children have access to a quality education that enables them to achieve their potential and fully participate now and in the future in the social, economic, and educational opportunities of our state and nation.  That mission is grounded on the conviction that a general diffusion of knowledge is essential for the welfare of this state and for the preservation of the liberties and rights of citizens.  It is further grounded on the conviction that a successful public education system is directly related to a strong, dedicated, and supportive family and that parental involvement in the school is essential for the maximum educational achievement of a child. (Texas Education Code §4.001)

Highly effective personnel

Safe and disciplined campus

Implement technology

References:
URL: U.S. Department of Education

https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=rn

URL: Texas Constitution and Statutes

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov

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Federal Entity: United States Supreme Court

State Entity: Court of Appeals, Four federal

district courts, State Supreme Court, Trial

Courts

Brown v. Board of Education was

the name given to the five separate cases

that the U.S. Supreme Court handled.

(Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 1952-1954).

References:
URL: Supreme Court of the United States

https://www.supremecourt.gov/

URL: Texas Judicial Branch – Supreme Court

https://www.txcourts.gov/supreme

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Federal Entity: The President, Executive

Branch agencies, and Independent regulatory

agencies.

*The Department of Education

State Entity:

Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Texas Higher Education Coordinating

Board

(D) Standard 3.4. The educator shall not exclude a student from participation in a program, deny benefits to a student, or grant an advantage to a student on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, national origin, religion, family status, or sexual orientation (19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2.).

(B) Teachers acquire, analyze, and use background information (familial, cultural, educational, linguistic, and developmental characteristics) to engage students in learning.

(i) Teachers connect learning, content, and expectations to students' prior knowledge, life experiences, and interests in meaningful contexts.

(ii) Teachers understand the unique qualities of students with exceptional needs, including disabilities and giftedness, and know how to effectively address these needs through instructional strategies and resources.

(iii) Teachers understand the role of language and culture in learning and know how to modify their practices to support language acquisition so that language is comprehensible and instruction is fully accessible (19 Tex. Admin. Code §149.1001).

(C) Teachers design lessons to meet the needs of diverse learners, adapting methods when appropriate.

(i)

Teachers differentiate instruction, aligning methods and techniques to diverse student needs, including acceleration, remediation, and implementation of individual education plans.

(19 Tex. Admin. Code §149.1001).

References:
URL: U.S. Department of Education

https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=rn

URL: Texas Education Agency

https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/laws-and-

rules#:~:text=The%20Texas%20Education

%20Agency%20administers,govern

%20education%20in%20the%20state

Educators’ Code of Ethics, 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2

Educators’ Code of Ethics, 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 149.1001

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The local policy states that the school district will not discriminate against on the basis of race, color, or sex.

Reference:
https://files.gabbart.com/2531/title_ix_compliance.pdf

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(J) Standard 1.10. The educator shall be of good moral character and be worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state. (19 Tex. Admin. Code §247.2)

(E) Standard 2.5. The educator shall not discriminate against or coerce a colleague based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, family status, or sexual orientation.   (19 Tex. Admin. Code §247.2)

(B) Standard 3.2. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or safety of the student or minor. (19 Tex. Admin. Code §247.2)

An educator should not have a topic of instruction in a place where a student feels discriminated against.  Every student shall be given an equal education.

Reference:
Texas Certified Educators: Texas Educators' Code of Ethics (19 TAC § 247

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Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards

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Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards

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Through this journey, I have learned much about legal and ethical standards.  Understanding the four Sources of law has put a new perspective on genuinely understanding how big of a part each law plays in education.  I must stay updated with new laws and policies implemented on all levels. And to continue to study and understand the ones already in place.

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1.  Cultivating awareness, becoming more aware of our own biases.

2.  Increase empathic communication, having the ability to understand the perspective of others.

3.  Practice mindfulness,  being aware of others' feelings and emotions non-judgmentally.

4.  Establish clear school policies and ensure they reflect district and state guidelines.

5.  Encourage reporting, and have ways for students to report anonymously incidents that they feel need to be reported.

6. Involve family, parents, and community members; keeping all involved helps strengthen the school culture and community.