The NNER embraces a vision of educational excellence for all. This vision,
described in The Agenda for Education in a Democracy, brings to light
the symbiotic relationship between educational excellence and equity.
The NNER believes that educational excellence involves knowledge, practices
and structures that support the full participation of all individuals
in teaching and learning opportunities, and in educational decision-making
and policy setting.
The NNER believes democracy requires equity in educational and other
social settings. To achieve equity the NNER must work toward the elimination
of discrimination against groups oppressed on the basis of traits including
but not limited to age, disability, gender, language, locality, personal
appearance, political ideology, race, religion, sexual orientation and
socio-economic status. The NNER recognizes that inequities surface continually
as democratic institutions adapt to changing circumstances, and that
consequently, constant vigilance is needed to identify obstacles and
barriers to educational access, opportunity and attainment. The NNER
sponsors and encourages proactive, critical inquiry at all educational
levels-from classroom to national policy arenas-into policies, conditions
and practices that limit or promote educational access, opportunity and
attainment.
The NNER believes that democracy is strengthened by diversity. Diversity
is an indispensable feature of the NNER’s commitment to using
democratic processes to facilitate democratic ends. At a minimum,
this commitment to diversity requires the inclusion of all oppressed
groups on a basis of equal respect. More broadly, it includes educating
ourselves about others and demonstrating a willingness to fairly
consider multiple views. Such inclusion sometimes generates discomfort
that is necessary for helping others change and for being open to
change ourselves. Thus, the NNER supports broad representation and
active engagement in forging educational and other social and political
decisions.
The NNER recognizes, however, that the full diversity of human values
includes racist, sexist, and other kinds of anti-democratic values
incompatible with the NNER’s moral commitments. The NNER’s
moral commitments obligate members of the Network to work against anti-democratic
values, particularly in educational forums, as far as is consistent
with the rights of the proponents of such values.
The NNER recognizes that there are many ways to ameliorate problems
of inequity and lack of diversity consistent with this Statement on Equity
and therefore expects that local responses will differ. Further, the
NNER does not assume any of its member settings have fully realized the
ideals of equity and diversity described in this Statement, but expects,
rather, that each member setting is committed to these ideals and works
toward their realization.