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2004 SESSION

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SB 222 Cultural diversity policies; establishmt. for loc. school boards & institutions of higher education.

Introduced by: Henry L. Marsh III | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Cultural diversity policies for local school boards and institutions of higher education. Requires the Board of Education to establish guidelines to assist school boards in developing cultural diversity policies that promote the knowledge of racial and ethnic cultures, and language minority populations represented in the public schools of the Commonwealth. School boards are required to develop cultural diversity policies that are consistent with Board guidelines and are designed to, among other things, prepare students to live and participate effectively in a global community and an increasingly pluralistic society, and promote communication between and reduce barriers among students and school personnel of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. The Board must also identify best practices within and outside of the Commonwealth and disseminate this information to school divisions. The term, "cultural diversity policies," as used in the bill does not require mandatory training of students or school board employees concerning cultural diversity, nor does it require hiring quotas or the employment of persons on the basis of race or ethnicity.

In addition, the bill requires the boards of visitors of each public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth and the State Board for Community Colleges to submit equal education opportunity plans to the State Council of Higher Education, the Governor, and the General Assembly on November 1 of each year. The plan requirements for the institutions of higher education will expire on July 1, 2009, one year after the expected expiration date for the reporting and monitoring phase of the agreement signed by Governor Gilmore with the Office of Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education.


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