1	COMPREHENSIVE EQUITY PLAN 2007 through 2010 FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS IN DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE EQUITY PLAN TO PROVIDE EQUALITY AND EQUITY IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
2	HISTORY: EQUITY CODE N.J.A.C. 6:4 was the prior Equity Code in existence since 1972 with no sunset date; i.e., could “go on” forever! A new equity code was adopted by the State Board in May 2003, with a sunset date of 2008. New Code: N.J.A.C. 6A:7 – “Managing for Equality and Equity in Education
3	"A." A. Purpose of 6A:7 Assigns responsibility to school boards to: identify and correct all discriminatory and inequitable policies, programs, practices and conditions within or affecting the public schools
4	"HOW?????" HOW????? District needs are identified through self assessment and The development of a Comprehensive Equity Plan (CEP), covering the school years 2007 – 2010
5	The plan will enable districts to comply with the following laws, codes, and regulations:
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12	"III." III. School and Classroom Practices -- Equity requirements for four categories: curriculum, student access, guidance, and physical education/athletics. IV. Employment/Contract Practices -- Outlines the basic practices to comply with equity requirements.
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14	"Step 3." Step 3. After completing the needs assessment, identify: 1. Items needing correction; identify by section and subsection, e.g. I.A.(1)(a) 2. Items requiring a monitoring procedure or system
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16	"Forms specific to each assessment..." Forms specific to each assessment area are provided in Appendix B and include: Board Responsibilities (one form) Staff Development (one form) School and Classroom Practices (four forms) Employment and Contract Practices (one form)
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20	"STEP 7:" STEP 7: ASSEMBLE SUBMISSION PACKAGE 1. Summary Statement for CEP, 2004-2007 2. Statement of Assurances 3. Resolution appointing the AAO 4. Resolution authorizing the AAT to conduct the needs assessment and develop a CEP 5. Resolution authorizing the submission of the proposed CEP 6. List of the AAT members, with signatures 7. District Needs Assessment Checklist, (Appendix A) 8. CEP forms (Appendix B) 9. Desegregation Form, Appendix C, if applicable
21	APPENDIX C FOR DISTRICTS THAT ARE UNDER ORDERS BY THE NJ COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION TO IMPLEMENT SCHOOL DESEGREGATION PLANS, you must complete the Questionnaire in Appendix C. If this document is missing, it will be returned to you for completion.
22	DESEGREGATION DISTRICTS: If, based on answers to the questionnaire, your district feels it has met its desegregation plan requirements for the last five years, you may petition the Department to be removed from the list. Send a letter and documentation to: NJ Department of Education Office of Specialized Populations/Equity P.O. Box 500 Trenton, NJ 08625
23	STEP 8: (WHEW!!!) SUBMIT THE ORIGINAL TO YOUR COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION *AND * MAIL ONE COPY TO: NJ DOE Office of Specialized Populations P.O. Box 500 Trenton, NJ 08625 DUE ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2007
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25	"CEP SANCTIONS:" CEP SANCTIONS: N.J.A.C. 6A:7-1.9(f), “If the board of education does not implement the CEP within 180 days of the approval date, or fails to report its progress annually, sanctions deemed to be appropriate by the Commissioner of Education . . . . shall be imposed and may include action to suspend, terminate or refuse to award federal or state financial assistance…pursuant to N.J.S.A 18A:55-2.”
26	APPENDIX A CEP ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST
27	DISTRICT/CHARTER SCHOOL NEEDS ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST (Appendix A) Use the needs assessment checklist to determine your areas of need. Indicate compliance (C) or Non compliance (NC) If compliant, list the documentation or evidence used to substantiate compliance, Appendix A Areas identified as non compliant MUST be addressed in Appendix B of the CEP by section and sub-section.
28	COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT It is important to involve the internal and external community throughout the CEP process. A handout is available on how to inform the community about the CEP. Make the CEP available to the public after it is approved.
29	Each school within the district must be included in the needs assessment. REMEMBER: IF ONE SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT IS OUT OF COMPLIANCE, THE ENTIRE DISTRICT IS OUT OF COMPLIANCE.
30	"APPENDIX B" APPENDIX B Comprehensive Equity Plan FORMS
31	COMPREHENSIVE EQUITY PLAN FOR AREAS OF NONCOMPLIANCE STAFF DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE: Describe the plan to be implemented for 2007-2010 to provide in-service training for school personnel on a continuing basis to identify and resolve problems with the student achievement gap and other iniquities arising from prejudice on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin , ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability or socioeconomic status. STAFF DEVELOPMENT IS ONGOING: List by corresponding section/subsection from the district/charter school needs assessment checklist and use more than one page as needed.
32	COMPREHENSIVE EQUITY PLAN FOR AREAS OF NONCOMPLIANCE SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM PRACTICES: EQUALITY AND EQUITY IN CURRICULUM OBJECTIVE: Describe the district/charter school's plan to be implemented for Academic Years 2007-2010 for developing and/or revising curriculum to eliminate discrimination, add multicultural content, and promote understanding and mutual respect among all students. NON COMPLIANT AREAS: List by corresponding section/subsection from the district/charter school needs assessment checklist and use more than one page as needed.
33	COMPREHENSIVE EQUITY PLAN FOR AREAS OF NONCOMPLIANCE SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM PRACTICES: EQUALITY AND EQUITY IN STUDENT ACCESS OBJECTIVE: Describe the plan to be implemented for 2007-2010 to provide equal and bias-fee access for all students to all school facilities, courses, programs, activities and services, regardless of race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, religion, English proficiency, socio-economic status or disability. NON COMPLIANT AREAS: List by corresponding section/subsection from the district/charter school needs assessment checklist and use more than one page as needed.
34	COMPREHENSIVE EQUITY PLAN FOR AREAS OF NONCOMPLIANCE SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM PRACTICES: EQUALITY & EQUITY IN GUIDANCE PROGRAM SERVICES OBJECTIVE: Describe the district/charter school's plan to be implemented for 2007-2010 to provide equitable treatment, adequate and appropriate counseling services for ALL students, including females, minority students, limited English-proficient students, non-college bound students, and students with disabilities, and to ensure exposure and counseling services focused on careers in the science and technology industries, non-traditional career options and post-secondary opportunities for minority and female students NON COMPLIANT AREAS: List by corresponding section/subsection from the district/charter school needs assessment checklist and use more than one page as needed.
35	COMPREHENSIVE EQUITY PLAN FOR AREAS OF NONCOMPLIANCE EQUALITY & EQUITY IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETIC PROGRAMS OBJECTIVE: Describe the district/charter school's plan to be implemented for Academic Years 2007-2010 to ensure that there is gender equity in all physical education and athletic programs, and to ensure equitable opportunities for all students to participate in athletics regardless of race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, English proficiency, socio-economic status or disability. NON COMPLIANT AREAS: List by corresponding section/subsection from the district/charter school needs assessment checklist and use more than one page as needed.
36	COMPREHENSIVE EQUITY PLAN FOR AREAS OF NONCOMPLIANCE EQUALITY & EQUITY IN EMPLOYMENT/CONTRACT PRACTICES OBJECTIVE: Describe the district/charter school's plan to be implemented for Academic Years 2007-2010 to ensure equitable practices in employment at all levels of responsibility, and to avoid engaging in business with firms that discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, religion, English proficiency, socio-economic status, or disability. NON COMPLIANT AREAS: List by corresponding section/subsection from the district/charter school needs assessment checklist and use more than one page as needed. .