By Beth Milligan | May 25, 2021 Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) board members received an update Monday on district efforts to increase diversity and inclusivity initiatives in the wake of a racist student incident on Snapchat in April. Efforts including a curriculum audit, staff training, and a proposed antiracist TCAPS board resolution drew criticism from some parents who said the work amounted to indoctrination and an attempt to force critical race theory into the classroom, while several TCAPS staff members defended the process as crucial to providing a school environment where all students feel welcome and safe. The Social Equity Task Force – an internal TCAPS group including students, teachers, administrators, parents, and other stakeholders formed in November to address equity, diversity, and inclusivity issues – provided an update to board members. According to committee members, current focus areas include auditing the district’s K-12 curriculum “through an equity lens,” diversifying TCAPS libraries, expanding learning opportunities for staff, providing support “to lift student voices” in the district’s inclusivity work, and passing a board resolution detailing TCAPS’ commitment to being an antiracist, anti-discriminatory school district. The resolution was originally slated to be reviewed by board members later this summer. However,…
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TCAPS Continues Diversity, Antiracism Efforts In Wake Of Snapchat Incident
