EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND NONDISCRIMINATION Introduction School districts operating career and technology education programs must ensure that they do not discriminate in their programs and services on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, gender, or disability. The Office for Civil Rights, United States Department of Education, publishes the vocational education program guidelines for eliminating discrimination and denial of services on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, sex/gender, and disability. These guidelines serve as documents for districts to follow in accomplishing equity and nondiscrimination. Commendations or Strengths The district-approved statement of nondiscrimination was printed on the brochures, catalogs, application forms, and other documents that were examined. The district has designated two compliance/grievance officers to serve the Chickasha campus. The coordinators' contact information is published in area newspapers, in the student and employee handbooks, and in the board policy book. The district is to be highly commended for providing the nontraditional e-mentoring program, GirlTech, to promote enrollment in nontraditional programs for their gender that will lead to high-skill, high-demand, and/or high-wage careers. The administration and staff are commended for their in-service activities, resources, and utilization of training on sexual harassment. The district provides an outstanding Next Step Scholarship Program to pay tuition for students who are 16 to 20 years of age. Specific Recommendations for Improvement This adrninistrative review standard was met. General Suggestions for Improvement Annual in-service training programs need to continue to be conducted with staff and students on sexual harassment and bullying issues as well as offering nontraditional program opportunities for all students. The nontraditional student recruitment, enrollment, retention, and support services (job shadowing, mentoring programs, career days, job-placement preparation, and employment opportunities) should be continued. All recruitment videos, brochures, and student/faculty recruitment processes need to show diversity and nontraditional students and instructors. All student and staff applications and student enorllment forms need to reflect appropriate inquiries. No inquiries should be made prior to enrollment or hiring as to gender, race, date of birth, social security number, etc. This information can be gathered after the student has been accepted into the program or the employee has been hired.
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