The Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) is working to transform learning communities with intentional and deliberate actions to culturize excellence through equity in everything that we do. RCOE’s vision is that all students have opportunities for student-centered learning, which we define as learning experiences based on each individual student’s needs. When fully implemented, student-centered is thus, by definition, equitable learning. 

We acknowledge the systemic racism inert in the educational system and the need to continue to advocate against the systems that promote racist policies and dismantle them to build a space where equitable and humane practices may flourish.   

Every student deserves an education that prepares them for lifelong learning, success in the world of work, and participation in representative government. We believe that all children can learn at high achievement levels. Asset-view learning and achievement, access to robust and racially just curriculum, culturally and linguistically relevant and equitable teaching systems are vital and should be infused into every aspect of education. Achieving educational equity is a process of assessment, reflection, and continuous improvement. Schools are not only places for acquiring knowledge and skills, they are also places for identity formation, where young people begin to understand who they are and how they relate to others and society as a whole.

We honor the uniqueness of each individual and embrace diverse backgrounds, values, and points of view to build a strong inclusive community and to prepare students for lives in a multicultural society. We define educational equity as practices of ensuring that every student is successful regardless of their external or internal social or cultural contexts.  In presenting this definition of equity, we recognize and acknowledge that significant disparities in educational opportunities and outcomes exist among students based on socioeconomic status, gender, race, ethnicity, special needs, English language proficiency, sexual orientation, and geography which result from a history of systemic, economic, political, and moral inequity.

RCOE’s mission is to ensure the success of all students through extraordinary service, support, and partnerships. Our role is to provide specific tools to support systems, structures, and practices that will strengthen our county, districts, and school sites to have shared directions and actions rooted in equity. When we take bold, deliberate, and courageous actions, the systems will adjust. We also recognize, as individuals and as an organization, that an important step in the quest for equity is to better understand systems of inequity in particular, to understand ourselves and our own identities, cultures, and roles in these systems. We fundamentally believe in working with communities and not upon communities. We seek to add value as a partner with communities through our organization’s influence in state policy and access to broader networks.

Equity in education builds bridges between educators and learners, parents, and community partners. As all stakeholders work together, we realize the benefit and value of diversity and inclusion to increase equity and access for all learners. 

We encourage educators to embrace the following pledge: 

"EDUCATOR FOR EQUITY"

My vision is a world of opportunity and achievement, available to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, economic standing, immigration status, culture, and heritage.  

• I am committed to Social Justice, challenging districts, schools, and classrooms to make systemic changes that will champion:
  
  
  • Asset-view learning and achievement.
  • Strong and respectful family and community relationships.
  • Access to robust and racially just curriculum.
  • Culturally and linguistically relevant and equitable teaching policies, processes, and practices.

• I will question the power, privilege, and oppression that plays a role in our current system, calling out unjust and racist structures in education and society.
  
  
• I am dedicated to do all I can to develop, in myself, my students and my peers, a commitment to resolve these issues, wherever they are found and in whatever form they may take.