State legislation calls for more training in cultural competency

OLYMPIA — School district personnel in Washington may need to engage in equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism training if a bill proceeds through the legislature and becomes law.

Senate Bill 5044 aims to adjust the current cultural competency training for school staffers and board directors, according to the bill’s text. Professional development training about equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism would be added.

The bill would also require school districts to prioritize one of three professional learning days to focus specifically on equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism, according to the bill’s text. During a professional learning day, educators participate in training aimed to improve their teaching skills.

Majority Caucus Vice Chair Mona Das, D-Kent, is the primary sponsor of the bill. She said legislators need to make sure educators are equipped with the training needed to support and encourage students, especially children with multicultural upbringings.

“Not only was (2020) a difficult year, but it also unveiled how important this is that our students feel safe, cared for, understood, heard from every background, every culture, ethnicity and orientation,” Das said during the virtual legislative hearing Wednesday.

Roger Trail, superintendent of Royal School District, said the bill does not consider existing practices addressing equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism.

“I get concerned a lot when people try to do a one-size-fits-all legislation on something like this, and it might be different in different places,” Trail said in an interview with the Herald. “When that happens, you lose local control.”

The Royal School District has an anti-discrimination statement people must follow, Trail said. All staff members must also participate in discrimination-awareness training through a consultant and online.

Trail said his school district also gathers data to make sure they are not discriminating against any certain group by conducting temperature checks with staff and students.

“You look at our district’s vision, and we talk about a place where everyone is respected, valued, safe and engaged in challenging and relevant lifelong learning,” Trail said. “When we say everyone, obviously there is no room for discrimination practices or racist practices.”

Tricia Lubach, director of leadership development for the Washington State School Directors’ Association attended the legislative hearing Wednesday. She told the Herald she supports the bill because WSSDA is already in the process of creating professional training regarding cultural competency and anti-racism. Lubach also serves on the Quincy School District board.

John Boyd, superintendent of Quincy School District, told the Herald he is “more than good” with the bill passing, as his staff has engaged in a lot of equity work over the years. For the past five years, his staff attended state conferences and training that would address topics like equity.

“Our school board is really versed in race and equity,” Boyd said.

Quincy School District has a race and equity coalition, including board directors, Boyd said, which has been fruitful. Teachers are also participating in classroom management training, so they can lead classrooms in a culturally appropriate way.

“I think we have a good chance of changing outcomes for students just by the way that we interact … and just by having open dialogue about these things,” Boyd said.

Senators had not voted on SB 5044 as of Monday.