Davenport Community School District Equity Process and Procedures

This section of the Equity Review Process assesses the District’s compliance with the process requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (sex discrimination), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (disability discrimination), and the Office of Civil Rights Guidelines of 1979 for Eliminating Discrimination and Denial of Services on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, and handicap in Vocational Education Programs.

The process requirements include:

• Non-discrimination policies and statement - A policy of non-discrimination represents the District’s commitment to equity. It provides documentation that the District is committed to provide educational opportunities for all students. The law requires districts to have board adopted non-discrimination policies, including a non-discrimination statement.
• Complaint (Grievance) procedure – The complaint procedure provides a fair and timely process for addressing complaints related to policy. It must be delineated and communicated to staff, students, and parents. Board Policy 103.02 and Administrative Regulation 103.02A.
• District Equity Coordinator – The role of the District Equity Coordinator is to coordinate the District’s efforts to comply with equity related requirements. Not only must the coordinator be assigned, but there must be evidence that the coordinator is functioning proactively.
• Communication – The law requires that students, staff, parents, and the community be informed about the non-discrimination policy and non-discrimination statement, the identity and contact information for the District Equity Coordinator, and the information about the complaint procedure on an on-going basis.

This information is to be disseminated to all stakeholders in the school district through the community newspaper, the district’s major annual publications, and the district’s website. Major publications include: student handbooks, parent handbooks, and staff handbooks; registration course guide; major plans and reports of the school district (i.e., Annual Progress Report, Comprehensive School Improvement Plan); and district brochures.