5901 O Street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68510
402-436-1000
Copyright 2004
Lincoln Public Schools,
Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Lincoln Public Schools is committed to enhancing the learning, working and social environment of its students and employees. This commitment has been operationalized in a number of efforts directed towards multicultural education and affirmative action. The emphasis is not rhetoric but action through the implementation of results-oriented programs.
With regards to its employees, Lincoln Public Schools has taken steps to assess recruitment, selection, hiring and promotion policies and to correct deficiencies where they exist. The district's affirmative action program emphasizes the need for more effective recruitment and hiring of racial and ethnic minorities; establishing and promoting programs that encourage and support education as a career for diverse population groups; examining issues of staff retention; and initiating ways to ensure a supportive and satisfying work environment.
The recruitment of staff of color takes the district into numerous different environments. Teacher recruitment fairs at targeted schools, participation and displays at professional conferences, use of pre-screened minority databases, and advertising in selected publications are among the methods used to attract candidates for teaching and administrative positions. We have enjoyed a consistent increase in the number of minorities considered and hired in various positions. This is reflective of a true commitment to enhancing the cultural mix of the employee population.
For its students, Lincoln Public Schools has adopted a multicultural education policy that builds upon a systematic approach to the infusion of knowledge, skills and attitudinal perspectives regarding racial, ethnic and gender diversity. Multicultural education has as its purposes: 1) affirming the culture, history and contributions of all groups, specifically African-Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans; 2) challenging and eliminating racism, prejudice bigotry, discrimination and stereotyping based on race; 3) valuing multiple cultural perspectives; and, 4) providing all students with opportunities to "see themselves" in the educational environment in positive ways and on a continuing basis.
The four components of the multicultural education plan focus upon the areas of curriculum and instruction infusion, climate and environment, staff development, and assessment. In the area of curriculum, the district will identify the curriculum objectives related to African, Asian, Hispanic and Native Americans; and develop human relations strategies and skills needed for staff to present curriculum from multiple cultural perspectives. The environment and climate component will focus on assessment, improvement and maintenance of multicultural climates. Recognizing that effective and sustained change does not happen overnight, numerous schools have been phased-in and are successfully providing supportive and positive learning environments for all students.
The staff development component is concerned with providing excellent opportunities for staff to acquire the skill necessary to fully implement the District's multicultural program. Building specific and District-wide inservices and institutes are being offered for staff. The focus is not merely the addition of holidays and heroes. Administrators and teachers are being asked to transform the structure of curriculum. This process is being enhanced through planned staff development activities at all levels.Finally, the assessment component reviews the district's progress and leads the gathering and analyzing of data to allow for comprehensive self-evaluation.
The Lincoln community has a well established and growing minority population. Our efforts and successes in the implementation of the multicultural education plan will add to the education of all students. Students will have the benefit of a richer and more supportive educational environment and learn the human relations skills needed to live and work in the upcoming years.
For the Lincoln community, Lincoln Public Schools sponsors and assists with numerous community activities that help to foster and support appreciation for the rich diversity found in the city of Lincoln.
Annually, minority students are recognized for their achievement and scholastic standing among their peers and teachers by receiving awards for their outstanding and unique contributions to their schools and larger community. Collaborations with the NAACP, the Nebraska Indian Education Association, the Malone Center, Hispanic Center, Asian American Community Center and other groups take on many forms.
From cultural festivals and heritage days to career fairs and scholarship banquets, Lincoln's minority community continues to show great variety and growth.