Equity & Inclusion

group of childrens hands gathered together

At Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education, we work hard to ensure that our schools are safe, welcoming and caring.

‘Every student deserves to belong, be safe and feel welcomed in all aspects of their daily experience’. – NS Inclusive Education Policy

This is why we work hard to build a sense of community in our classrooms, schools and across our region by focusing on relationships, building connections and being culturally aware.

If education is provided in an inclusive approach, all students should feel that they belong, feel safe, accepted, and valued, and supported to learn and succeed. What is best for some students, benefits all students.

An inclusive environment welcomes families and community members into schools. It is a commitment to students and families that schools are providing a high-quality, culturally and linguistically responsive and equitable education for all students.

To read the Inclusive Education Policy, click here.

Equity: What is equity?

Did you know that equity is not the same as equality?

  • Equity ensures that each student gets what they need to succeed at school.
  • Equality means that everyone gets the same, and based on the belief that everyone will succeed by giving everyone the same thing.

However, different people need different things. A classroom of students wouldn't all need a Band-aid just because one student cut themselves.

“We need to focus on equity by supporting success for students who are historically marginalized and racialized (African Nova Scotian and Mi'kmaw students) or who come from other groups that have been traditionally under-represented and under-served, including but not limited to, students with special needs and those struggling with poverty."- NS Inclusive Education Policy


The data from provincial and regional assessments and student surveys show that students from historically marginalized groups based on race, gender, sexual orientation and abilities are currently underserved and not thriving within our public education system. This is why we must focus on equity in our schools - to fulfil our commitment to the Inclusive Education Policy and the students we serve.

Our collective responsibility is to work together to create schools where each student feels valued and respected. Thank you for doing your part to support us in modelling inclusive behaviour and language and addressing situations that compromise someone's ability to be safe and respected.

What CCRCE is doing to support equity in our schools?

Culturally Responsive Learning
Our schools are continuously working toward being culturally responsive which means:

  1. There is a focus on student learning: Teachers adjust their instructional practices to support students' learning needs.
  2. There is a focus on cultural competence: Students get to see their cultures and their experiences reflected in their learning, as well as learn about other people's cultures and experiences.
  3. There is a focus on critical consciousness: Students become independent, critical thinkers who get to apply what they are learning to address real world issues.

Stand Up Speak Out: How to Be an Ally

CCRCE’s Stand Up Speak out program has been focused on the concept of How to be an Ally; the idea of standing with a marginalized group that you are not a part of and speaking out for the rights of that group. We have embraced the idea of listening to learn so that we can do better. CCRCE students and staff are encouraged to be allies and to work toward equity for all students.

   



How We Approach Racism and Other Incidents of Discrimination based on sexuality, gender, abilities, etc.

‘The Human Rights Act of Nova Scotia prohibits discrimination based on race, age, gender, abilities and religion.’

The words and actions we use within a school community matter. They can be used to build a positive sense of community, but, unfortunately, can also be used to cause harm. This is why, at CCRCE, we are having ongoing conversations about words and actions that attack someone’s identity.

Our identity is made up of many parts, including our race, gender, abilities and sexual orientation. Attacks on identity are racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist and other remarks or actions that dehumanize someone. They are associated with a history of violence and are not tolerated in our schools. We need to work together to educate and have clear responses when racist and discriminatory incidents occur.

Our collective response will focus on supporting the people harmed, educating those who have caused the harm, and using the Provincial Code of Conduct to ensure that students are kept safe.

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