Merriam-Webster defines diversity as “the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc.” Mention of diversity & inclusion (D&I) typically invokes thoughts of issues related to race and ethnicity, gender equality in the workplace, and individuals with disabilities. In the public schools context, however, D&I encompasses a much wider variety of students that are protected by certain legal requirements. This page links to resources that provide background, contextual information, and guidance around certain groups of students. Be sure to work with your counsel to determine how the requirements apply to your district.  

Because many of the students groups highlighted on this page are at increased risk to be targets of bullying, a section of resources relating to bullying also is included below.

Note: Links to outside resource groups may express views that are not those of the Ohio School Boards Association. Inclusion of a resource on this page is for informational purposes only; OSBA does not endorse the opinions that may be expressed on other organizations' websites.

General resources

• How Diversity Makes Us Smarter (Scientific American, September 2014)
• Implicit Bias (Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity, 2017)
• Status and Trends in the Education of Racial and Ethnic Groups (National Center for Education Statistics, 2016)
• Safe Supportive Learning Resource Page 
• OSBA Journal article, April 2015, An update on federal guidance documents impacting schools

Bullying

• Ohio Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements for Schools (RC 3133.666)
• Stopbullying.gov (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services)
  • Cyberbullying
  • Race, Ethnicity, National Origin & Religion
• Dear Colleague Letter: Harassment and Bullying (U.S. Dept. of Education, October 2010)
• Anti-Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Resources (Ohio Dept. of Education)
• Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation
• Safe & Supportive Materials Resources (Ohio School Safety Center)
• Anti-Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Resources (Ohio School Safety Center) 

Economically disadvantaged students

• Impacts of Hunger on Child Development (Feeding America)
• National School Lunch Program (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)
• Summer Food Service Program (Ohio Dept. of Education)

Children in foster care

• Every Time Foster Kids Move, They Lose Months of Academic Progress (The Atlantic, February 2014)
• The Effects of Placement and School Stability on Academic Growth Trajectories of Students in Foster Care (Children and Youth Services Review, 2018)
• Foster Care Youth and Postsecondary Education: The Long Road Ahead (American Council on Education, December 2017)
• Fostering Success in Education (FosterCareAndEducation.org, April 2018)
• Guidelines: What you need to know about Child Abuse & Neglect (Franklin County Children Services)
• Students in Foster Care (U.S. Dept. of Education)
• The Legal Center for Foster Care & Education
• ESSA Foster Care Guidance (Ohio Dept. of Education)
• Dear Colleague Letter: Educational Stability for Children in Foster Care (U.S. Dept. of Education, June 2016)
• Dear Colleague Letter: Foster Care Timelines (U.S. Dept. of Education, June 2016)

Homeless children

• McKinney-Vento Homeless Act Guidance (Ohio Dept. of Education)
• Model McKinney-Vento Dispute Resolution Procedure (Ohio Dept. of Education)
• Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program Non-Regulatory Guidance (U.S. Dept. of Education)
• Supporting the Success of Homeless Children and Youths - Fact Sheet and Tips (U.S. Dept. of Education)
• National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
• OSBA Journal article, August 2012, Enrolling homeless and other undocumented pupils

Immigrant students

• Lifting the Lamp Beside the Schoolhouse Door, A Legal Guide to Serving Undocumented Students in Public Schools (National School Boards Association, October 2017)
• New Americans in Ohio (American Immigration Council, August 2020)
• Dear Colleague Letter: English Learner Students and Limited English Proficient Parents (U.S. Dept. of Justice & U.S. Dept. of Education, January 2015)
• Alternative Language Notices
  • Federal Notices (U.S. Dept. of Education Office of Civil Rights)
  • Parent's Guide to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act -- scroll to bottom of page for language options (Ohio Dept. of Education)
• Information on the Rights of All Children to Enroll in School (U.S. Dept. of Justice & U.S. Dept. of Education, May 2014)
  • Fact Sheet
  • Questions and Answers for States, School Districts and Parents
• Resources for Developing Programs for English Language Learners (U.S. Dept. of Education)
• National Association for Bilingual Education
• OSBA Journal article, August 2012, Enrolling homeless and other undocumented pupils 
• OSBA Journal article, August 2017, District obligations to noncitizen students

Individuals with Disabilities

• Dear Colleague Letter: Students with Disabilities in Extracurricular Athletics (U.S. Dept. of Education, January 2013)
  OSBA SMN article, March 2023, Inclusion of students with disabilities on field trips
• Dear Colleague Letter: Bullying of Students with Disabilities (U.S. Dept. of Education, August 2013)
• Dear Colleague Letter: Responding to Bullying of Students with Disabilities (U.S. Dept. of Education, October 2014)
• Frequently Asked Questions: Effective Communication for Students with Hearing, Vision or Speech Disabilities (U.S. Dept. of Justice & U.S. Dept. of Education, November 2014)​
• Etiquette for Working With Students With Disabilities (BestColleges.com, March 2023)
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Resource Page (U.S. Dept. of Education)
• Parent's Guide to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (Ohio Dept. of Education)
• Disability Discrimination (U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Civil Rights)
• Special Education (Ohio Dept. of Education)
• Council for Exceptional Children
• Dear Colleague Letter: Students with ADHD (U.S. Dept. of Education, July 2016)
• Know Your Rights: Students with ADHD (U.S. Dept. of Education, July 2016)
• OSBA Journal article, June 2016, How accessible is your district's website
• OSBA Journal article, April 2018, The U.S. Supreme Court and special education

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students

• LGBT-Inclusive Educator Resources (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network)
• PFLAG, formerly known as Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
• Family Acceptance Project 
• Schools in Transition: A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools (Human Rights Campaign)
• A look at accommodating transgender students (OSBA Journal, Capital Conference 2014)
• Transgender Students: Know Your Rights (National Center for Transgender Equality)
• Transgender Rights and the Law (American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio)
• Resources for Transgender Youth, Parents, and School Districts (OSBA)
• Transgender Students in Schools: FAQs for Public School Boards and Staff (NSBA)
• Examples of Policies and Emerging Practices for Supporting Transgender Students (U.S. Dept. of Education, May 2016)
• Model School District Policy on Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students (Equality Ohio)
• 2019 National School Climate Survey (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network)
• OSBA Journal article, December 2014, A look at accommodating transgender students 
• OSBA Journal article, April 2016, Diversity and the law in public schools 

Pregnant and parenting teens

• Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students (U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Civil Rights)
• Pregnant and Parenting Students (The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education)
• Dear Colleague Letter: Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students (U.S. Dept. of Education, June 2013)
• Working with Pregnant & Parenting Teens Tip Sheet (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services)
• Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Teens (Child Welfare Information Gateway)
• Keeping Pregnant and Parenting Teens from Dropping Out: A guide for policymakers and schools (Healthy Teen Network & the National Women's Law Center)
• Know your rights: Pregnant or parenting? (U.S. Dept. of Education, Office for Civil Rights)

Racial and ethnic minorities

• Diversity within Unity: Essential Principles for Teaching and Learning in a Multicultural Society (University of Washington)
• Teachers more likely to label black students as troublemakers (Stanford University, April 2015)
• The alarming effect of racial mismatch on teacher expectations (Brookings Institute, August 2015)
• Dear Colleague Letter: Nondiscriminatory Administration of School Discipline (U.S. Dept. of Education, January 2014)
• Dear Colleague Letter: Equity in Access to Educational Resources (U.S. Dept. of Education, October 2014)
• Race and National Origin Discrimination (U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Civil Rights)
• National Education Association Resource Pages for Multicultural Groups
  • American Indians and Alaska Natives
  • Asians and Pacific Islanders
  • Hispanic and Latino Individuals
• The Education Trust

Religious minorities

• Major Religious Holidays and Suggested Accommodations (University of Missouri, Chancellor's Diversity Initiative)
• Protecting Our Muslim Youth from Bullying: The Role of Educator (U.S. Dept. of Education)
• The Bullying of Religious Minorities in Schools: Consequences and Solutions (Islamic Networks Group)
• Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools (U.S Dept. of Education)
• What Does the Law Say About Prayer in Schools? (ThoughtCo.com, March 2019)
• Prayer in School (EducationWorld.com)

For more information, please contact Lenore Winfrey, senior administrative assistant of legal services, at (614) 540-4000.