Community Conversation - Inclusive Education in Practice: Learning from Douglas County High School’s Graduation Venue Controversy
The following is a DougCo Collective “Community Conversation” and was written by a Douglas County community member (parent, student, teacher/staff or community member). The intent of “Community Conversations” is to give members of the Douglas County community an opportunity to contribute to the larger DCSD conversation with their lived experiences and perspectives.
Inclusive Education in Practice: Learning from Douglas County High School’s Graduation Venue Controversy
Douglas County High School's decision to move its graduation ceremony to the U.S. Air Force Academy has stirred significant debate around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The move is controversial due to the Air Force Academy's strict entrance requirements. The increased barriers to entry could prevent many family members from attending. While the media focused on the impact on undocumented students and their families, the entry requirements could also impact folks with legal challenges or those who do not have valid ID because their driver’s license is expired or lost from attending this significant event.
Impact of the Venue Change
The U.S. Air Force Academy's entrance policy requires all visitors to present a military ID, passport, or driver's license, with non-U.S. citizens needing special clearance. At Douglas County High School, this affects approximately two dozen students and 80 family members who would have been unable to attend due to a lack of documentation or concerns over their privacy and security. The decision, intended to avoid weather-related uncertainties, has raised questions about prioritizing convenience over inclusivity, sidelining students from a key milestone.
School and District's Stance
The decision was met with concern from educators and students alike, pointing to potential barriers to participation. However, the district offered limited guidance or alternatives for those unable to meet the entry requirements. Principal Anthony Kappas' attempts at addressing security concerns failed to reconcile with the district's equity policies. There was much internal dialog around the issue for months, but changing the venue was never an option. Solutions provided by the school included meeting and clarifying the policy. Some workarounds were provided that might have addressed some situations, however, the process was cumbersome and time-consuming. It wasn’t until several media outlets started asking questions and CPR News published a story that the venue was finally moved to Echo Park Stadium, a less restrictive setting.
Principal Kappas’ insensitive response illustrated a misunderstanding of equity and inclusion, framing the venue change as a reaction to external scrutiny rather than a necessary step towards inclusivity. This, against a backdrop of anti-immigrant policies by Douglas County commissioners, exacerbates the challenges faced by immigrant communities.
It’s important to emphasize that the school did not and has not acknowledged the emotional toll paid by the students and families impacted by its actions. These students have worked for their diplomas and should not be excluded from experience graduation, nor should their families. The last-minute change in venue is unfortunate for those who had made plans, but this falls at the feet of the school and district for dragging their feet on changing the venue, not on the students and families fighting for equal access to graduation ceremonies.
Towards More Inclusive Practices
The episode underscores a gap between the district’s equity commitment and its actions. Representation matters. It matters in the leadership positions, as well as parent committees. Additionally, there should be a willingness to listen and acknowledge what others say about how school decisions impact all students. This school could have prevented the scramble following the late announcement of the venue’s stringent access rules had leadership taken concerns more seriously.. Venue selection should prioritize accessibility and inclusivity, with community input playing a central role in decision-making processes.
The Path Ahead
This incident is a stark reminder of the need for alignment between a district's policies and its actions regarding inclusivity and equity. Douglas County School District must reflect on its ideals, end goals, and policies through an equity lens. This should be for event planning and all policies impacting students and families. Such reflection should lead to policy revisions or new guidelines promoting inclusivity.
The controversy over the graduation venue choice serves as a call to action: educational institutions must prioritize inclusivity in every decision, ensuring no student feels marginalized. Inclusivity should be viewed as an ongoing practice characterized by empathy, reflection, and adaptation, ensuring educational milestones are celebrated by all. The acrimony within the community would have been avoided if the school and district aligned with its stated goals on diversity, inclusion, and equity.
We've come a long way but have a long way to go. Let this incident remind us of the importance of inclusivity in education, prompting us to create environments where every student is acknowledged and valued, as stated in the DCSD Board End Goals.
Some resources, guides, and toolkits the staff and parents could use when making decisions that impact students.
https://www.cde.state.co.us/choice/equitablepolicyreviewprotocol
https://www.oregon.gov/oya/Publications/EquityLensGuide.pdf
https://www.cde.state.co.us/equityresourcesfordistrictsandboces
