District/School Administration Administration
The Board of Education Advisory Councils

Racial Imbalance Advisory Council

The Racial Imbalance Advisory Council (RIAC) advises the Commissioner of Education and the Board of Education on matters pertinent to the development and maintenance of school desegregation/integration in public schools within the Commonwealth. The Council assesses statewide trends and needs in desegregation and integration patterns, seeks wide public and professional input, and disseminates information regarding racial balance, and access to effective educational programs for all the Commonwealth's children regardless of race or class. RIAC also advises and makes recommendations regarding legislation, regulations and program guidelines, and provides other programmatic recommendations, as it deems necessary, to fulfill the goals established by the Board of Education. Membership on the Council is representative of a broad base of individuals experienced in equity theory - its application and implementation at the district and school levels.

The primary goal of the Racial Imbalance Advisory Council (RIAC) is to: review the *Racial Imbalance Law in order to respond to significant changing demographic needs, changing student needs, changing district needs, changing desegregation plans, and to ensure that districts adhere to the tenets of the Racial Imbalance Law. The Racial Imbalance Law was passed with the knowledge and understanding that the legacy of racial discrimination in our society carries long-term consequences.

Of primary concerns to the RIAC are the integration of students in our public schools and improved student achievement for all. Both are still lacking in many urban Massachusetts schools and districts. There continues to be pronounced racial and cultural differences in student achievement, participation in special education, suspensions and expulsions. The Council believes that school districts need to focus their efforts on adequate and appropriate staff development that prepares teachers to meet the needs of all students regardless of their racial heritage or socio-economic status. Of equal importance is the belief that districts should develop appropriate evaluation tools that will determine systemic strengths and weaknesses and so the development of plans will be for appropriate improvement.

Council Statement

The Racial Imbalance Advisory Council (RIAC) advocates for the importance of diversity in the education of the children of the Commonwealth. It believes that all children should be held to the highest standards and afforded access to the highest quality of education. To this end the Council will:

• Support the mission, and proposed goals and objectives of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for all students who attend public schools
• Establish links with proposed activities of RIAC and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Strategic Plan.
• Review racial integration patterns in MA public schools including charter schools, and also court case findings and the impact on school assignments in MA
• Examine and research recent documents relevant to advantages/disadvantages of diverse educational settings and race relations

Schedule of Meeting Dates for the Year 2007-2008

RIAC Membership

Membership on the Racial Imbalance Advisory Council includes:

Dr. Jorgelina Abbate-Vaughn Assistant professor, Curriculum Instruction, U. Mass, Boston
Ms. Gwendolyn Blackburn Community Representative, Medford
Ms. Jacqueline Dix Smith METCO Program Director, Braintree Public Schools
Ms. Barbara Fields Organizational Representative, BEAM, Boston
Ms. Mary Ann Hardenbergh Organizational Representative; MCEE, Boston
Ms. Pam Hulme Parent Representative, Framingham Public Schools
Mrs. Nealon Jaynes-Lewis NCLB Administrator, Springfield Public Schools
Ms. Kimberley Lewis Program Director, Boston Public Schools
Ms. Catherine McCarthy, Organization Representative, Catapult On-Line
Dr. Kahris McLaughlin Affirmative Action Officer, Cambridge Public Schools
Dr. Denise Messina Director of Pupil Services, Acting Superintendent Monson Public Schools
Ms. Gladys Pack Consultant for Grant Writing and Project Evaluator
Mr. Brian J. Rachmaciej Educational & Clinical Consultant, Chicopee
Dr. Gary J. Roberts Visiting Senior Instructor, Westfield State College
Ms. Kate Toomey Community Representative & City Counselor, Worcester
Ms. Linda Wilson Principal, Homer Street School, Springfield

Co-Chairpersons for 2007-2008

For Further Information Contact:

ESE Liaison
Lurline Muñoz-Bennett, Ph.D
RIAC Liaison
Office for the Curriculum Standards
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
Telephone: 781-338-6285
Fax: 781-338-3395
Email: Lmunoz-bennett@doe.mass.edu

Meeting Minutes

For copies of minutes and/or agenda call either one of the Co-Chairpersons or the Council Liaison at the contact information listed above.

Related Resources

Chapter 15: Section 1I
Chapter 15: Section 1J
Chapter 76: Section 12A
Chapter 71: Section 37C
Chapter 71: Section 37D
Chapter 71: Section 37I & 37J

Charles V. Willie, Ph.D., & Michael Alves, Ed.M. (1996); Controlled Choice: A New Approach To Desegregated Education and School Improvement. Education Alliance Press.

Carl A. Grant (1995); Educating for Diversity: An Anthology of Multicultural Voices. Allyn & Bacon