Equity

Educational equity means students have access, opportunities, and supports to thrive in school, achieve a meaningful diploma, and lead a choice-filled life. This requires a systemic approach that flexibly responds to the needs of students, when they need it, and how they need it. Social or cultural factors should not predict whether or not students are prepared for college and career.

To deliver on the promise of educational equity for all students, the San Diego County Board of Education is committed to providing educational opportunities and support to district and school leaders, teachers and other stakeholders so that all students, including our historically underserved students, are served well and are successful.

The County Office supports this effort by providing equity-focused services to schools and districts, charter organizations, independent, and Juvenile Court and Community Schools throughout San Diego County. Learn more with the SDCOE Equity Blueprint for Action (PDF).

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Hallway Art designed by children — Ensuring all students have access, opportunities, and supports to thrive in school

Email List

Want to stay up-to-date with San Diego County Office of Education's Equity Department? Connect through our Equity Department contacts list.

Equity Blueprint for action

Focuses on improving educational outcomes for three student groups: African American, American Indian, and Latinx.

Visit Equity Blueprint Website

Equity Conference

The Equity Conference is an opportunity to grow and learn as we work to make our campuses safe spaces for all students, staff members, and families, where they feel honored and valued. Save the date for the 2024 Equity Conference on Jan. 18 and 19.

Visit Conference Website

Equity in Education Videos

Check out our Equity in Education video playlist to find videos from our conferences, student panels, and other events.

More to Explore

Black Excellence Series

Educator Resource Guides

The San Diego County Office of Education creates and curates timely resource guides. You can find the most up-to-date guides on the News webpage or in the Resource Guide Library.

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Educator Resources to Address Antisemitism in Public Schools

As antisemitism (bigotry against Jews) and other extremist beliefs spread across the country, education plays a critical role in fighting ignorance, hate speech, and discrimination. We can create cultures of care in the classroom by allowing students to listen and learn about the experiences of their classmates.

muslim student and teacher or parent working on digital pad

Guide to Supporting Muslim Students

By learning about and celebrating Muslim Americans’ achievements, histories, cultures, and struggles, we learn to truly appreciate our students’ experiences and begin to remove one of the greatest barriers to learning –– school connectedness.

LGBTQIA+ History Month Guide

Learn more about the background of this recognition month, the importance of representation, and find resources for expanding your knowledge and understanding.

Guide to Observing Hispanic Heritage Month

Learn more about the history of this recognition day, the importance of terminology, and find resources for expanding your knowledge and understanding.

student in classroom at desk holding paper

Resources for Educators, Families to Discuss the Events in Ukraine with Students

To help students better understand this event and to place it in a broader context, we've gathered history-social science, mental health, and social and emotional learning resources to support teachers and families in helping students process these current events.

Teach 9/11 with Compassion

San Diego County is home to a diverse community that includes first responders and victims who may have directly experienced the terror attacks on 9/11 and their aftermath.

Equity Library

California Regional Ethnic Studies Collaborative (Project CRESC)

In January 2023, the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) was awarded a two-year contract from the California Department of Education (CDE) to lead professional learning in ethnic studies for the state. SDCOE, in partnership with the Riverside County Office of Education and with the support of county office regional leads that encompass the entire state, will lead the California Regional Ethnic Studies Collaborative (CRESC) project. This project responds to the urgent need to design asset-based systems intentionally aligned to research and best practices to support high-quality ethnic studies implementation.

The overarching goal of Project CRESC is to improve academic outcomes for all students through building a statewide, regional, and local system of support for ethnic studies implementation in schools. The model is grounded in a distributive leadership approach — because we believe that it takes all of us to do this work. The research on ethnic studies is clear: these courses contribute to the healthy identity formation of young people, and our youth have repeatedly requested to see themselves represented positively and accurately. Project goals include (1) develop and deliver robust and effective professional learning opportunities to build the capacity (awareness, knowledge, and skills) of educators to support and expand ethnic studies courses; and (2) curate, develop, and expand ethnic studies resources shared on an online ethnic studies hub.

Quarter 1 Public Report (January 2023 to March 2023)
Quarter 2 Public Report (April 2023 to June 2023)
Year 1 Public Report (January 2023 to June 2023)

Instructional Design for Equity/Writing Redesigned for Innovative Teaching and Equity (WRITE)

The Writing Redesigned for Innovative Teaching and Equity (WRITE) initiative, a national academic excellence model for professional development, supports TK-12 schools and districts to implement an equity-centered, culturally and linguistically responsive writing approach in English and Spanish across instructional contexts. Aligned to the writing standards in the California Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Science, Science, and Technical Subjects, and language development proficiency levels, WRITE prepares students for college, career, and civic participation. Through partnerships with schools, districts, and county offices, WRITE develops a network of leaders with a shared understanding of quality integrated literacy instruction.

Through partnerships with schools, districts, and county offices, WRITE develops a network of leaders with a shared understanding of quality integrated literacy instruction. Join TK-12 teacher leaders across the state in a four-module online course to focus on equity-centered, research-based writing instruction.

Read the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Research Study

Professional Learning Opportunities

WRITE 101 and 102 Cohorts

Registration is now open to join the 2024 cohort for the Writing Redesigned for Innovative Teaching and Equity (WRITE) courses designed to support educators in culturally and linguistically responsive instructional practices.

Writing Redesigned for Innovative Teaching and Equity

WRITE contacts

Julie Goldman, Ed.D.
Director, Equity Curriculum and Instruction
Linda Vista Campus
jgoldman@sdcoe.net
858-298-2012

Maria Cordero
Executive Leadership Coach
Multilingual Education and Global Achievement (MEGA)
Linda Vista Campus
mariacordero@sdcoe.net
858-295-8985

Stephanie Juarez
Administrative Assistant 1
Learning and Leadership
Linda Vista Campus
stephanie.juarez@sdoce.net
858-298-2018

Youth Scholar Panel Videos

Professional Development

Navigating the Pages: LGBTQIA+ Books and Materials Challenges Series

In an ever-evolving educational landscape, promoting equity, and cultural proficiency for all students is paramount. As educators, it is crucial to create safe and supportive environments for students who identify as LGTBTQIA+. However, including LGBTQIA+ topics in library materials and highlighting LGBTQIA+ historical figures in curriculum can sometimes lead to challenges from concerned parents.

Monday, Nov. 13; 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: SDCOE – Linda Vista Campus
Presenters: a.t. Furuya, executive director - Transform Together
US Attorney Southern District of California - Hate Crimes Coordinator for United Against Hate
Beth Perisic, Director, and David Lemaster, Executive Director – Poway USD “My Book Challenge Experience”
Focus: Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful Lunch and Learn designed to equip educational leaders with the laws and legislation, tools, and knowledge to engage in constructive conversations about LGBTQIA+ library materials and text resources. With experts, this professional learning opportunity will delve into LGBTQIA+ student data, Ed Code, and tips for identifying hate and how to build trust.

Audience: School and district administrators, curriculum and instruction directors, social science educators, librarians, and media specialists

Lunch provided
Cost: $50 per person

Ethnic Studies Collaborative for TK-12 Teachers

Monthly Ethnic Studies Collaborative meetings support classroom teachers to design and collaborate on social justice K-12 curriculum. Join us on the following dates from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Sept. 14, Oct. 19, Nov. 30, Feb. 8, and May 9.

Ethnic Studies 101 for Site and District Leaders

These virtual sessions will provide an overview of ethnic studies and a process to implement an ethnic studies course. Site and district leaders will learn about ethnic studies requirements and guidelines to develop a community-responsive ethnic studies curriculum. Join us for the following three sessions from 8 a.m. to noon:

Session 1 - Oct. 24 or Nov. 2
Session 2 - Dec. 14
Session 3 - Feb. 8

Project CRESC Designing for Ethnic Studies Professional Learning Series

Participants will:

Build capacity to implement the ethnic studies graduation requirement by SY 2025-26.
Gain knowledge, tools, and strategies to craft a community-responsive approach to building a sustainable ethnic studies plan.

Sessions held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. via Zoom:

Session 1 – Oct. 12, 2023
Session 2 – Nov. 16, 2023
Session 3 – Feb. 15, 2024
Session 4 – Mar. 14, 2024
Local Education Agencies are encouraged to register multi-level teams, and individual educators are welcome.

Project CRESC Designing for Ethnic Studies Flyer

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main contacts

Talisa Sullivan

Exec Director, Equity

School: 858-295-6579

Denise Falkenthal

Administrative Assistant III

School: 858-295-8976

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