OPRF Students Petition For Racial Equity Policy Change

OAK PARK, IL --- A group of Oak Park students has banded together to sign a petition demanding changes to the racial equity policies at Districts 97 and 200. The petition, which was posted to the website, MoveOn, proposes that the districts implement a number of new policies, including hiring more teachers of color and providing funding for student clubs that will promote racial equity.

The petition outlines specific deadlines by which the supporters would like the changes to go into effect.

Shifts that the petitioners want to see immediately include making black history courses part of each school's required curriculum and reviewing disciplinary policies to ensure that students of color are not punished disproportionately.

The petitioners also ask that schools hire an assistant racial equity superintendent for the 2019-2020 school year and put into effect a "student-initiated racial equity curriculum" at the same time that would be required for all students.

The motivation behind the petition, according to its text, is to "educate all stakeholders on the importance of equity, inclusion, diversity, and empowerment of ALL community members."

Anthony Clark, a teacher at Oak Park-River Forest High School who runs Suburban Unity Alliance, said in a statement that he was "in absolute awe" of the students who came forward with the petition.

As of Tuesday night, the petition, which seeks 400 signatures, had been signed by 335 supporters.

Click the link to sign the petition for racial equity changes at Oak Park schools.

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