University of Regina and Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA) sign equity, diversity, and inclusion research agreement
The Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA) and University of Regina’s Faculty of Education are pleased to announce a new $93,450 research agreement, in which the Faculty of Education will conduct research and provide deliverables for Phase 2 of the CSBA’s anti-racism strategy.
“Systemic anti-racism is a fundamental priority for the CSBA and its member organizations,” states CSBA President Laurie French. “Review and revision of policies, including organizational structure and procedures, has enormous potential for permanent change to set direction and expectations for local school systems as a component of this work. We are pleased and impressed that improving equity, diversity, and inclusion is unanimously supported by the Board of Directors on behalf of their local school boards, and we are very grateful to be led and supported by the exceptional team at the University of Regina.
The CSBA has completed Phase 1 of an anti-racism strategy which included self-assessments of the CSBA Board of Directors and a review of CSBA Policies. Phase 2 will include:
- Developing a plan for implementing Phase 1 policy recommendations;
- Developing equity, diversity and inclusion self-assessment documents for member associations and their respective school boards in communities across Canada;
- Launching a national campaign to increase the diversity of locally elected school boards; and
- Creating governance and trustee learning modules to increase awareness of the systemic racism in Canada that continues to disadvantage students and families who are Indigenous, Black or otherwise racialized.
“In response to the momentum around acknowledging and seeking to address systemic racism in Canadian society, the Faculty of Education — whose commitments are fundamentally grounded in the belief that schools can be incubators for truly just and pluralistic societies – is grateful to be able to partner with the Canadian School Boards Association,” says Dr. Jerome Cranston, Dean of the Faculty of Education and principal investigator for the research project.
The project will be supported by the newly formed Centre for Educational Research,
Collaboration, & Development (CERCD), which was established, according to Dr. Andrea Sterzuk, Director of the CERCD, “to support educational researchers and research communities in conducting educational research and development projects that are meaningful to, and serve the needs of, diverse communities in local, provincial, national, and/or international contexts.”
The project is in alignment with the stated objectives of both the CSBA and the Faculty of Education. The CSBA states that it is “committed to promoting equal access opportunities for all students … by working to remove systemic barriers, address racism and adopt an intentional approach to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the work of provincial school board associations.” And the Faculty of Education “aspires to be a leader in innovative and anti-oppressive undergraduate and graduate research, scholarship, teaching, learning and service.” (Strategic Plan 2021 – 2026)
This project is being conducted from January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
For an interview with Dr. Jerome Cranston, please contact him directly by email: education.dean@uregina.ca
For an interview with CSBA, please contact executivedirector@cdnsba.org
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About the University of Regina
Set in the heart of the Canadian prairies we are a comprehensive, mid-sized university where the opportunities are as limitless as the horizon. Our campuses are on Treaty 4 and 6 - the territories of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda peoples, and the homeland of the Michif/Métis nation. It is our responsibility to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities to build a more inclusive future for all. Our three federated colleges, 10 faculties, 25 academic departments, and 18 research centres foster innovative research with practical and theoretical applications. We are committed to cultivating the potential of our 16,700 students and supporting their health and well-being. We take learning beyond the classroom through work and volunteer experiences to develop career-ready graduates.
Let’s go far, together.
About the Canadian School Boards Association
The Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA) represents members from member associations serving close to four million elementary and secondary school students throughout Canada. Through its support of the public school systems, the CSBA supports excellence in school board governance and is committed to providing tools, leadership, professional development, and communication opportunities to trustees and commissioners across Canada as well as advocating for them on shared, national issues.