Racist behavior, inequities in living (or learning) standards, bias against any individual, and an intolerance for human differences are not only school issues - these are issues for families, faith communities, the Town, and indeed the entire nation to address. Clearly, and as the evidence in the December 2017 Needham Equity Audit Initial Findings suggest, we in the Needham Public Schools play a key role and annually provide updates to the School Committee and the community on our progress. The most recent REAL presentation to the School Committee was made on June 4, 2024.




The School Committee presentation for the 2022-2023 school year was made on June 6, 2023, and is available through the link below.




A prior presentation was made on March 16, 2021 and is available for review at this link.















The previous presentation (pre-COVID) to the School Committee was on June 18, 2019, available at the link below. 



Over the past couple years, Needham Public Schools staff updated the School Committee three times on the district's equity work. The November 20, 2018 minutes of the School Committee  reflect the following key points:

• The REAL Coalition held its first meeting in October 2018.
• The REAL Coalition includes district leaders, school leaders, teachers, parents, community members, and students.
• There is a three-tiered system: the larger Coalition, a Steering Committee, and sub-committees supporting six goal areas:

1. Policies and Practices in support of equity
2. Curriculum & Instruction in support of equity
3. Professional Learning in support of equity
4. Hiring and Employment Practices in support of equity
5. Culture & Climate in support of equity
6. Communications and Community Engagement

• The REAL Coalition's work moves forward in getting concepts, understanding, and skillsets to implement action steps and make changes in each of these six areas.

Before that, presentations were made to the School Committee on April 2017 and June 2018 and are provided at the links below.