Programs for Educational Opportunity

U.S. Department of Education Regional Equity Assistance Center (EAC)

University of Michigan School of Education, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1259

Serving Schools in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin

[Who Are We?] [Our Philosophy] [Three Equity Areas: Race, Gender, and National Origin] [Tailored To Your Needs, We Help Schools With..] [Levels of Service] [Contact Us]

Who Are We?

We are a combined Race, Gender, and National-Origin Equity Assistance Center (EAC) based at the University of Michigan school of Education in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We are funded under Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by the U.S. Department of Education.

Our mission is to:

Help K-12 school districts reduce segregation and promote race, gender, and national-origin equity
Serve schools in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin
Offer equity-focused information, consultation, and in-depth service

We provide information and referral services to any school community-members in our region. We provide consultation and in-depth services to schools and school districts at the request of school officials in our region. Whenever possible, we collaborate with other state, regional, and federal educational agencies. There is no fee for services within the scope of our regional equity assistance center grant.

Our Philosophy

We believe all children deserve a quality education including:

Equal access to all programs and activities
Equal opportunity for academic achievement
Fair treatment in policy and practice
Equitable rewards and outcomes

We believe an equitable school respects all students, makes them feel welcome, and treats them as equal members of their school community. An equitable school also challenges all students and staff to do their best regardless of race, gender, national origin, language, or special needs.

We know that creating an equitable school environment is a complex and demanding process, but with our 33 years of experience in desegregation and equity assistance, we can help you attain this goal.

Three Equity Areas: Race, Gender, and National Origin

PEO offers technical assistance that help schools provide equal opportunity to all students regardless of race, gender, or national origin.

Race Equity
Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act authorizes technical assistance to public schools to overcome race and ethnic group segregation. PEO helps school district ensure that all students achieve their full potential regardless of their race or ethnicity.

Gender Equity
The Title IX Education Amendments of 1972 prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. PEO helps school districts ensure that all students achieve their full potential regardless of their gender.

National-Origin Equity
The Lau v. Nichols Supreme Court decision of 1974 defines the right of language minority students to equal access to a meaningful education. PEO helps school districts ensure that all students achieve their full potential regardless of their national origin.

Tailored To Your Needs, We Help Schools With ...

Equal Access to Programs and Activities

District and building-level desegregation
Equity in athletics
Federal Civil Rights laws
Participation of girls and minorities in math, science and technology
Proportionate student participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities

Equal Opportunity for Achievement

Culturally relevant curriculum and instruction
Bilingual education/ESL programs
The Achievement Gap
Dropout prevention and re-entry programs
Fair and appropriate testing and evaluation
Multicultural, gender-fair curriculum

Fair Treatment for Students

Bullying Prevention and Violence Prevention
Peer conflict resolution and violence prevention
Cross-cultural communication
Race relations
Hate crime prevention
Diversity awareness/diversity management
Disproportionate student discipline and fair and effective discipline.
Prejudice reduction
Prevention of ethnic or racial harassment or sexual harassment

Fair Employment Policy and Practice

Comparable worth
Recruitment and retention of minority administrators and teachers
Compliance with Title IX

Parent and Community Involvement

Family involvement in math and science
Ethnic/Race-based parent support groups
Parent, Teacher, Student Organizations
School Improvement Teams
Leadership training

Dissemination of Model Programs, Including

BAFA BAFA (cross-cultural simulation)
EQUALS classroom programs
The Equity Principal
EQUALS Family Math, Middle School Family Math, and Family Science
Generating Expectations for Student Achievment (GESA)
Student Conflict Management
Playtime is Science

Levels of Service

Information and Referral

Presentations at conferences and workshops
Back issues of Equity Coalition newsletter provide a comprehensive discussion of one equity topic per issue
Tune In to Your Rights: A Guide for Teenagers about Turning Off Sexual Harassment is available in English, Spanish, and Arabic versions
Other equity publications and materials

Consultation

Direct consultation on site or via telephone, FAX, or e-mail
Resource identification and referral
Regional networking

In-Depth Service

Equity Audit
Organizational needs assessment
Strategic planning
Policy analysis and long-range planning
Staff training and development
Model program dissemination

Contact Us

Director
Percy Bates, e-mail: pbates@umich.edu

Program Managers
Salome Gebre-Egziabher - Michigan; e-mail: sge@umich.edu
Marta Larson - Wisconsin; e-mail: mlarson@umich.edu
Tasha Lebow - Illinois and Ohio; e-mail: tlebow@umich.edu
Elizabeth M. Mimms - Indiana; e-mail: emimms@umich.edu
Iva A. Smith - Minnesota; e-mail: eixa@umich.edu

Other Administrative and Support Staff
Trish Kraus, Administrative Assistant II; e-mail: pkraus@umich.edu
Priscilla Rice, Research Secretary III; e-mail: parice@umich.edu

Programs for Educational Opportunity
University of Michigan
1005 School of Education
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1259

Telephone: (734) 763-9910; FAX: (734) 763-2137
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST/EDT
(24-hour voice mail and facsimile reception)
Internet e-mail address: peo@umich.edu

URL: http://www.umich.edu/~eqtynet

Non-Discrimination Policy Notice

The University of Michigan, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or Vietnam-era veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the University's Director of Affirmative Action and Title IX/Section 504 Coordinator, 4005 Wolverine Tower, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1281, (734) 763-0235, TDD (734) 647-1388. For other University of Michigan information call (734) 764-1817.

Regents of the University of Michigan

David A. Brandon, Laurence B. Deitch, Olivia P. Maynard, Rebecca McGowan, Andrea Fischer Newman, Andrew C. Richner, S. Martin Taylor, Katherine E. White, and Mary Sue Coleman ex officio

Last updated: 12/12//06. Comments to: peo@umich.edu