Worcester County Public Schools Sends Home DEI Policy For Parents, Students, and Staff to Sign

Worcester County Public Schools recently sent home its Educational Equity Policy (I-E-01) for parents, students, and staff to review and sign. At first glance, the document presents itself as a commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environment. But a closer look at the policy raises some questions on how “educational equity” is defined, how it is applied, how student data may be used, and how administration will implement the policy in an ethical manner.

Suprisingly, this document contained little to no spacing, with words running into each other. Just look at the first paragraph: "BoardofEducation" and "strivestoestablishand" and "maintaininasafe." The entire document is written this way.

Now keep in mind that this document was created and published by an educational institution that prides itself as the highest performing school system in the State of Maryland despite the low "D" average of its students, and it shows.

There is nothing wrong with a school district simultaneously having:

1. an anti-discrimination policy;

2. a commitment to equal educational opportunity;

3. programs designed to identify barriers to student success; and

4. a federal Title VI compliance obligation

   
   

But there is a major question:

Does the implementation of the WCPS Educational Equity Policy I-E-01 seek to remove unlawful or artificial barriers for all students and staff, or does any implementation result in students being treated differently because of their race or another protected characteristic?

The potential problem arises when an “equity” framework moves from prohibiting discrimination to using protected characteristics as a basis for differential treatment in grading practices, discipline, opportunity, etc.

Parents, administration, and the Board should look at this closely, which the DPTC has pointed out several times and was ignored by the district. "Equity Lens" was brought up by Lou Taylor in this video:

https://youtu.be/4HVSVJ_NZ2Q?si=ktjoEt_ZgfkYwg7M

"Equity Lens" means that they look at physical and social attributes in carrying out discipline or treatment through a system of double standards based on the attributes of race, sexuality, socio-economic, religion, or identity. This means partiality in judgement - making exceptions for some and not others, when or if discipline is to be applied, when changing a grade, or if an athlete is benched or gets to play.

Ironically, the policy does exactly what it seeks to dismantle. A policy can use the language of fairness, while its actual implementation determines whether students are treated equally or differently.

Back in March of 2025, the prior Superintendent of WCPS signed an agreement that the district would not violate Title VI and SFFA V. Harvard.

Simply labeling a policy “Educational Equity” does not prove that it violates or supports Title VI. Likewise, signing a Title VI certification does not automatically establish that the district policy, procedure, or practice complies with Title VI.

The actual programs, training materials, procedures, resource allocation decisions, disciplinary practices, student support programs and other implementations would have to be examined. But this is currently hidden by the district.

Maryland law and state regulations require local school systems to adopt and publish policies and procedures. WCPS has NO PROCEDURES on how it will carry out its broad Equity Policy I-E-01, leaving room to systemically discriminate against students and staff under the illusion of eliminating discrimination and disparities.

Not having procedures appears to be deceptive and negligent. Is this by design?

What we can conclude is that WCPS is applying an "Equity Lens," which uses physical characteristics and circumstances of a person to determine who should have what, who should be disciplined or not, who should be hired or not, etc. An Equity Lens is in the eye of the beholder. Without procedures, open-ended practices will result in partiality and preference.

Every Worcester County Public Schools student, staff, and parent/guardian was asked to sign this broad equity policy that is combined with a CODE OF CONDUCT, which is on the back page of the equity policy.

We encourage every parent to really think about this before they sign this form, as you could be signing your rights away - actually granting permission to the district to discriminate against your child when the district looks at your child and applies their "Equity Lens."

What remains is the big question: How will Worcester County Public Schools implement Educational Equity Policy (I-E-01)? How will this policy:

1. eliminate institutional barriers and have those barriers been identified?

2. eliminate discrimination?

3. eliminate disparities?

4. eliminate disproportionate discipline by race without looking at race?

5. equally and justly apply an "Equity Lens" by staff having different perspectives, beliefs, values, morals, and points of view?

6. hire a diverse workforce without looking at race?

These are fair questions that every parent, citizen, and Board member should be asking. The district should also have a procedure for its Educational Equity Policy (I-E-01), which is required by law, and to be transparent with the public.

Fellows & Editors

September 23, 2026. Copyright DelmarvaPTC.org 

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