At the DSBN, equity matters.
We believe that each individual deserves:
- to have their identity and lived experiences honoured,
- to learn in a culture of respect, dignity, and acceptance, and
- to have access to education free from discrimination and barriers.
Building equitable and inclusive schools requires the work to be grounded in the Ontario Human Rights Code with intentional focus on:
- Student Voice
- Inclusive Spaces
- Culturally and Historically Responsive Curriculum
- Anti-Bias, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Learning
- Community Partnership
- Identifying and Removing Systemic Barriers
Creating positive change within schools necessitates meaningful and intentional actions that result in a learning environment where every student feels valued, supported and empowered to succeed.
Through collaboration, ongoing review of policies and practices, and collective commitments, we aim to create a more equitable and just school community that celebrates diversity and prioritizes the success of every student.
The Equity Action Plan reflects our commitment to students to ensure there is equity at all levels of the system and embodies our dedication to addressing systemic barriers, promoting fair, anti-racist and anti-oppressive policies and practices, and ensuring all students have equal opportunities to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
The Plan outlines the priorities of the six focus areas and provides highlights of the work that has been done and the commitment to the work we will embark upon over the next three years. It is important to understand that much more work is happening at the system, school, and classroom levels that goes beyond what is highlighted in the Equity Action Plan and is further highlighted through the Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Community Advisory Committee and the Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Trustee Advisory Committee. To learn more, reach out to your school administrator.
Select from any of the cards below to learn about our priorities, highlights from previous years and our upcoming commitments:
Student Voice
Student Voice
Engaging and responding to student voice and agency
Priorities
- Empower, engage and equip students with the skills and tools to be critically conscious and active participants in promoting change in their spaces.
- Create the conditions to amplify, honour and center the student voice so all students can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential.
- Develop reciprocal relationships for sharing ownership for learning and having youth as partners and leaders in our schools and communities.
Highlights from Previous Year
- Supported DSBN IDEAS students in developing and implementing school-based passion projects inspired by their learning through LiveDifferent (an organization that inspires global positive change through youth empowerment).
- Collaborated with school-based Black Student Associations to co-host the Young, Black & Gifted event, creating space for Black students to connect, lead, and celebrate identity.
- Created the Secondary Student Equity Champions group to expand opportunities for students to engage in equity learning, share their voice, and participate in system and school-based initiatives.
- Partnered with a local artist through an Ontario Arts Council grant to support students in creating identity quilts that honoured their voices, identities, and lived experiences.
2024-2027 Commitments
- Collaborate with community-based groups to provide mentorship programs for Black students, fostering their academic, personal, and professional growth through supportive and empowering relationships
- Host annual “Rise Up: Students Leading the Change” equity conference for secondary students, creating an inclusive platform to address and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion through workshops, discussions, and interactive activities
- Create opportunities for school-based affinity groups to network with other student groups in schools, fostering collaboration and working together to promote equity and inclusion at their schools
- Create opportunities for system-level and school-based student groups to collaborate and provide platforms for one another, enhancing mutual support and the sharing of diverse perspectives and initiatives
Inclusive Spaces
Inclusive Spaces
Creating brave spaces where everyone can bring their full self to actively listen, explore and learn together
Priorities
- Ensure everyone is valued, respected and knows they belong, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or ability.
- Create the conditions for voices to have a space to acknowledge, examine and allow for questioning for deeper understanding.
- Embed inclusive practices in all areas connected to school culture such as planning, programming and curriculum.
- Rework existing structures where all students are supported to learn, contribute and participate in all aspects of the school life.
Highlights from Previous Year
- Engaged affinity groups, equity groups, and classes in Learning Circles to understand and respond to discriminatory and harmful language.
- Developed guidance for schools to support more inclusive school open houses and parent-teacher interviews.
- Continued the Knowing Each Learner framework, helping teachers and principals act on what they know about each student so every student feels they belong at school.
2024-2027 Commitments
- Support the formation of student-initiated affinity/equity groups where students and their allies learn to engage in courageous and critical conversations and develop skills to be agents of change in their schools
- Collaborate with schools applying the Building Belonging framework to develop working plans aimed at building knowledge in actionable strategies for creating more inclusive spaces
- Carry out listening campaigns to collect student insights and co-create action plans regarding inclusivity and cultivating a sense of belonging
Culturally & Historically Responsive Curriculum
Culturally & Historically Responsive Curriculum
Designing instruction that honours the identities, cultural knowledge and genius of all students
Priorities
- Empower students intellectually, socially, emotionally and politically by using cultural referents to impart knowledge, skills and attitudes.
- Recognize all students learn differently and that these differences may be connected to background, language, family structure and social or cultural identity.
- Empower teachers to cultivate the knowledge and skills that already exist in all learners to support achievement and well-being.
- Support teachers to create student-centered learning environments that affirm all student identities, elevate historically marginalized voices, and contribute to student engagement through cultivating critical thinking.
Highlights from Previous Year
- Provided professional learning for Grade 9 educators on using Identity Kits – graphic novels that help students explore identity, lived experience, and belonging.
- Supported Grade 10 History educators with professional learning on BLK: An Origin Story, strengthening culturally and historically responsive teaching in line with new Black history curriculum expectations.
- Developed resources to help classrooms and schools recognize culturally and creed-based days more inclusively.
- Created resources for Building Belonging in Kindergarten, focused on identity-affirming, inclusive early learning environments.
2024-2027 Commitments
- Facilitating staff learning and developing resources to support the integration of inclusive representation in the classroom through texts
- Design, deliver, and support participation in differentiated staff learning experiences that strengthen knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices to create culturally responsive learning environments
- Collaborate with curriculum support services teams to create and support resources that integrate culturally and historically responsive practices.
Anti-Bias, Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression
Anti-Bias, Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression
Developing a critical lens to disrupt oppressive practices to improve outcomes for all students, staff and school communities
Priorities
- Build knowledge and awareness of the principles of anti-bias, anti-racism, and anti-oppression.
- Develop an equity lens to support classroom, school and system decision making.
- Apply an equity lens to planning, teaching and assessment and evaluation.
- Apply an equity lens to school and system policies and guidelines.
- Eliminate biased, racist and oppressive practices that cause harm.
Highlights from Previous Year
- Provided learning for central teams on recognizing bias and examining patterns in identity-based referrals.
- Facilitated professional development for secretaries focussing on their important role in welcoming, inclusive school environments.
- Piloted Words Matter in elementary schools to support learning and response to discriminatory and harmful language.
- Taught Part 1 of the DSBN-created Equitable and Inclusive Schools Additional Qualification course, supporting educator learning in equity, inclusion, and anti-oppressive practice.
- Facilitated Tackling Racism professional learning in secondary schools to strengthen understanding, reflection, and action on racism and discrimination.
2024-2027 Commitments
- Offer professional development to administrators and educators, deepening their understanding of anti-bias, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive practices, and expanding these initiatives to include groups such as NTIP and teacher/administrator learning networks
- Build staff capacity through Equity Cafés Learning Series, aimed at fostering inclusive, culturally responsive classroom practices.
- Enhance educator understanding and practical application of OCT’s Anti-Black Racism Advisory
Community Partnership
Community Partnership
Engaging families, community members and organizations
Priorities
- Build cultural bridges between families and schools to learn about one another and appreciate differences.
- Nurture and grow the relationships between families, schools and the community in the best interest of students.
- Implement a collective and collaborative approach to benefit the achievement and well-being of all students.
- Engage in authentic educational experiences to affect communities in positive ways.
Highlights from Previous Year
- Facilitated a parent and caregiver workshop for Black families on navigating school systems and how to advocate for their children.
- Offered system professional learning for administrators on advocacy and meaningful family engagement.
- Created a newcomer guide for families new to Kindergarten and the school system.
- Presented Creating Inclusive School Councils at the Parent Involvement Committee conference to support more inclusive family and caregiver engagement.
2024-2027 Commitments
- Develop new initiatives that invite families and communities as partners in supporting student academic success and well-being
- Identify the barriers to participation and engage in collaborative problem-solving with school councils and community groups that honours voices and experiences
- Collaborate with community organizations to empower and enhance the skills of equity-deserving students
Identifying & Removing Systemic Barriers
Identifying & Removing Systemic Barriers
Eliminating disproportionality and disparity
Priorities
- Uphold the Ontario Human Rights Code that protects marginalized groups from discrimination and harassment.
- Collect, analyze and disaggregate data to identify and remove systemic barriers.
- Review and revise policies and procedures with an equity lens to eliminate differential treatment and outcomes for marginalized groups.
- Disrupt and remove barriers within systems and policies that perpetuate racism, oppression and exclusion.
Highlights from Previous Year
- Developed Administrative Guidelines for Addressing Harmful Language and Behaviour, supporting consistent, equity-informed responses across schools.
- Collaborated with Safe and Accepting Schools to strengthen restorative practices and support school learning on harm, accountability, repair, and belonging.
- Led a listening campaign across several elementary schools, drawing on student voice to identify the conditions for more inclusive learning environments.
2024-2027 Commitments
- Continue mentoring Black students to assist in setting and achieving academic and personal goals, and addressing issues related to racial identity
- Develop guidelines to address discriminatory language at the system and school level
- Work alongside schools to provide responsive plans to remove barriers experienced by equity deserving groups.
- Collection of identity-based data through the student census to analyze student achievement and well being indicators (e.g., credit accumulation and attendance) for diverse student populations
- Revise and implement school culture survey to gather feedback from students, parents, and staff members, with the aim of identifying areas of strength and improvement in creating a positive and inclusive school environment. Utilize the data gathered to inform targeted initiatives and strategies that promote a safe and inclusive school.