Board Policy BA_ Goals and Objectives Clean Version

                                                                           Board Policy Manual
                                                                   DeKalb County School District

Board Policy BA: Goals and Objectives                                             Status: DRAFT –
                                                                                  2nd Reading

Last Reviewed Date: 05/11/2026




CLEAN VERSION

Access and Opportunity

Purpose
The DeKalb County School District is committed to ensuring that each student has equitable access
to educational opportunities and resources that prepare them for success as lifelong learners and
responsible global citizens. This policy establishes the district’s commitment to removing barriers to
academic success and fostering safe, supportive, and engaging learning environments for each
student.


Definition
Educational access and opportunity means ensuring each student has the resources, support and
pathways they need to achieve academic success and personal growth.


Acknowledgement
To address historical gaps in student achievement, the DCSD affirms the need for schools
characterized by rigorous coursework, effective educators, supportive learning environments, and
educational opportunities that prepare students for college, career, and life success.

Commitments

The district commits to:

   •   Working to identify, address, and reduce achievement and opportunity gaps related to
       student access and participation in educational programs and services;
   •   Working to identify, address, and reduce measurable achievement gaps identified through
       district review of student outcome data;
   •   Supporting and expand access to rigorous coursework advanced academic opportunities,
       gifted service, career pathways, fine arts programs, and specialized instructional programs;
   •   Allocating resources based on identified student needs, legal requirements, strategic
       priorities, and available district resources
   •   Recruiting, developing, and retaining well-prepared, highly effective teachers and leaders to
       support academic and social-emotional growth.
   •   Providing support services which promote health, well-being, and social-emotional
       development.
   •   Delivering evidence-based professional learning that equips educators to serve each
       learner.
   •   Using disaggregated data to identify and address systemic opportunity and achievement
       gaps.
   •   Identifying and removing barriers in hiring, assignment, and advancement practices to build
       a talent pipeline reflecting the communities that the district serves.

Data Monitoring and Transparency

The Superintendent or designee will annually provide the Board with information regarding district
progress toward educational access and opportunity goals.

To the extent permitted by law and applicable privacy protections, reviewed information may
include disaggregated student participation, access, climate, staffing, and outcome data associated
with:

   •   academic achievement;

   •   attendance;

   •   discipline;

   •   advanced coursework participation;

   •   gifted education participation;

   •   career pathways;

   •   student support services;

   •   staffing trends; and

   •   other district indicators identified by the Superintendent.

The Board may use this information to inform:

   •   strategic planning;

   •   district improvement priorities;

   •   resource allocation discussions; and

   •   annual budget considerations.

Reviewed information should generally align with the district commitments and goals established
under this policy. Policy Enforcement The Board of Education directs the superintendent or
designee(s) to:

   •   Establish an Access and Opportunity Advisory Committee to provide advice and input to
       the superintendent on access and opportunity issues within the school district.
   •   Develop annual access and opportunity goals, and the district will review existing policies,
       programs, professional development and procedures to promote access and opportunity.
   •   Enforce this policy and create regulations and practices to support its implementation.

Legal Compliance

Implementation of this policy must comply with all applicable federal laws, state laws, State Board
of Education rules, and district policies and regulations.
Nothing in this policy should be interpreted to authorize unlawful discrimination, preferential
treatment, demographic balancing, quotas, or actions inconsistent with federal or state law.




Policy Reference Disclaimer:
 These references are not intended to be part of the policy itself, nor do they indicate the basis or authority
for the board to enact this policy. Instead, they are provided as additional resources for those interested in the
subject matter of the policy.

Note: To access the policy references, CLICK HERE: State of Georgia Terms and Conditions and close the
LexisNexis tab, which will return you to the policy. Click on the links below to be taken to each specific
code. You should only have to do this one time per session.




State                                           Description
O.C.G.A. 20-02-0050                             County school districts; county board for each county