Vision

As stakeholders in the Literacy Learning Network, the Wayne RESA Literacy Team is committed to advancing literacy practices that promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Please view our team’s statement below.

If you are interested in starting these conversations in your schools and districts, see below for authors and works that inspired our thinking: Dr. Muhammad, Dr. Tatum, Dr. Ladson-Billings, Dr. Kendi, Dr. Rosenblatt, Penny Kittle, Kelly Gallagher, Paulo Freire, Elena Aguilar, and Zaretta Hammond.

Image of the Wayne RESA logo: Leading... Learning for All; Service - Leadership - Collaboration - Excellence

Wayne RESA Definitions

Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, encompassing the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. While diversity is often used in reference to race, ethnicity, and gender, we embrace a broader definition of diversity that also includes, but is not limited to age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. Our definition also includes diversity of thought: ideas, perspectives, and values. We also recognize that individuals affiliate with multiple identities.

Equity is the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. Improving equity involves increasing justice and fairness within the procedures and processes of institutions or systems, as well as in their distribution of resources.

Inclusion is the act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces differences and offers respect in words and actions for all people. It’s important to note that while an inclusive group is by definition diverse, a diverse group isn’t always inclusive.

High-Quality Literacy Instruction for All Students

Computer with notes and glasses

Supporting Research

Developing Urgency

Including Culturally Diverse and Relevant Texts

  • ALA Book, Print and Media Awards List
  • American Indians In Children’s Literature (AICL)
    • Established in 2006 by Dr. Debbie Reese of Nambé Pueblo, American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL) provides critical analysis of Indigenous peoples in children’s and young adult books. Dr. Jean Mendoza joined AICL as a co-editor in 2016.
  • Black Children’s Books and Authors
    • With a mission “to promote awareness of children and young adult literature by Black authors,” this site is a comprehensive resource for books, blog posts, and more.
  • Caldecott Medal Award
    • The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
  • The Children’s Africana Book Awards (CABA)
    • CABA awards are presented annually to the authors and illustrators of the best children’s and young adult books on Africa published or republished in the U.S. Africa Access and the Outreach Council of the African Studies Association (ASA) created CABA in 1991 to encourage the publication and use of accurate, balanced children’s materials about Africa.  It has three major objectives (1) to encourage the publication of children’s and young adult books that contribute to a better understanding of African societies and issues, (2) to recognize literary excellence, and (3) to acknowledge the research achievements of outstanding authors and illustrators.
  • CLASP-Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs
    • CLASP founded the Américas Award in 1993 to encourage and commend authors, illustrators and publishers who produce quality children’s and young adult books that portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinx in the United States, and to provide teachers with recommendations for classroom use.
  • Coretta Scott King Book Awards
    • Designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards annually recognize outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience.  Further, the Award encourages the artistic expression of the black experience via literature and the graphic arts in biographical, social, and historical treatments by African American authors and illustrators.
  • ILA Children’s and Young Adults’ Book Awards Winners
    • “In today’s vibrant world, teachers must design their classroom libraries consciously to show they value all students’ lives and identities,” said ILA Executive Director Marcie Craig Post. “We’re excited to shine a spotlight on these titles, which draw readers into the worlds of characters who may be different from themselves and that celebrate empathy, kindness and acceptance” (O’Donnell, 2019).
  • Libros for Language
    • Designed specifically for teachers, this site provides support for teachers in multilingual-rich classrooms. 
  • Middle East Book Award
    • The Middle East Outreach Council established the Middle East Book Award in 1999 to recognize books for children and young adults that contribute meaningfully to understanding of the Middle East. For purposes of this award, the Middle East is defined as: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, the Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
  • National Book Award-Young Adult Literature
    • The mission of the National Book Foundation is to celebrate the best literature in America, expand its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in American culture. The National Book Foundation is guided by the following core beliefs:
      • Books are essential to a thriving cultural landscape
      • Books and literature provide a depth of engagement that helps to protect, stimulate, and promote discourse in American society
      • Books and literature are for everyone, no matter where the reader is situated geographically, economically, racially, or otherwise
  • NCTE Award List
    • Each year NCTE celebrates more than 90 different awards across our various constituencies. These awards shine a light on the exceptional work of our educators and students and offer myriad opportunities to recognize and elevate what makes the teaching and learning of English language arts so powerful.
  • Newbery Medal Award
    • The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
  • Notable Children’s Book Award
    • Each year the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best of children’s books on the Notable Children’s Books list.
  • Orbis Pictus Book Award
    • The NCTE Orbis Pictus Award® was established in 1989 to promote and recognize excellence in the writing of nonfiction for children. Orbis Pictus commemorates the work of Johannes Amos Comenius, Orbis Pictus—The World in Pictures(1658), considered to be the first book actually planned for children.
  • Oyate
    • Oyate is a Native organization working to see that our lives and histories are portrayed with honesty and integrity, and that all people know that our stories belong to us. For Indian children growing up in the 21st century, it is as important as ever for them to know who they are and learn about the histories that they come from. For all children, it is time to know and acknowledge the truths of history. Only then will they come to have the understanding and respect for each other that now, more than ever, will be necessary for life to continue.
  • Pragmatic Mom
    • Author Mia Wenjen has created several comprehensive lists of books covering a wide range of diverse topics and people. 
  • Printz Award
    • The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. It is named for a Topeka, Kansas school librarian who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association.  The award is sponsored by Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association.
  • Social Justice Books
    • Social Justice Books provides an extensive list of “critically reviewed […] multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators.”
  • We Need Diverse Books
    • This site’s vision says it all: A world where everyone can find themselves in the pages of a book. To enact that vision, We Need Diverse Books supplies site visitors with programs, resources, related blog posts, and more.
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