Fairfax County Public Schools still has racial and equity policy in place despite President Trump’s executive orders

In November 2017, Fairfax County Public Schools’ School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted a joint racial and equity policy titled “One Fairfax.” The policy starts by explaining that “racial and social inequities still exist.” Notable initiatives from this joint policy include:

• Workforce development pathways that provide all residents with opportunity to develop knowledge and skills to participate in a diverse economy and earn sufficient income to support themselves and their families.
• Education that promotes a responsive, caring, and inclusive culture where all feel valued, supported, and hopeful, and that every child is reached, challenged, and prepared for success in school and life.
• A criminal justice system that provides equitable access and fair treatment for all people.
• A health and human services system where opportunities exist for all individuals and families to be safe, be healthy and realize their potential through the provision of accessible, high quality, affordable and culturally appropriate services.
• Intentional, focused recruitment efforts that bolster a diverse applicant pool; hiring and evaluation practices, and processes for employee feedback, to achieve and preserve a culture of equity and fairness for all employees.

Employees will also be trained in “implicit bias” as well as “institutional and structural racism”:

Training will be designed for individual and collective learning with an emphasis on building competencies and skills to implement strategies that promote racial and social equity in employees’ daily work. Foundational training will include, but will not be limited to: an understanding of implicit bias; institutional and structural racism; and the use of equity tools. Additional training for role and business area specific training will also be provided.

This policy is still in effect despite President Donald Trump’s executive orders prohibiting DEI in public schools.