Equity Councils

The NMPED established the Equity Council requirement for all districts and charter schools in the state to ensure that the important work of the Martinez and Yazzie Lawsuit was carried out by the experts at the local level.

Equity Councils are established with students, families, educators, and community members working together to build a more inclusive and responsive school environment. Councils identify barriers to student success by centering the voices of those most impacted and advancing meaningful opportunities, support, resources, programs, and a sense of belonging for every student, especially those who have been historically underserved. In alignment with the Martinez/Yazzie findings, Equity Councils support schools and districts in examining current practices, informing decision-making, and shaping education plans that reflect the needs of their communities. Their work is grounded in the Culturally and Linguistically Responsive (CLR) Framework, which views culture, identity, and language as strengths in teaching and learning. As part of NMPED’s “accountability with support” model, Equity Councils conduct a Readiness Assessment, complete the CLR Framework Inventory, and develop a Visual Framework to examine current practices across the district or charter. Based on these Equity in Action items, councils develop advisements that guide priorities and drive meaningful change at the school and district level.