Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Practices

Dimensions Foundation Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Practices:

Dimensions Educational Research Foundation staff and board members believe that cultivating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture is essential, not only for our own community, but because we believe in modeling these principles for our professional networks and field, as well as for the future of our children.

DIVERSITY: We value the diverse experiences, strengths, and identities—visible and invisible—that make us who we are. We welcome and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, across age, ethnicity, race, color, disability, learning style, special health care needs, religion, faith, philosophy, socioeconomic status, national origin, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs.

EQUITY: We recognize systemic and institutional inequities in the field of early childhood education, and vow to play an ongoing role in breaking down these barriers and encouraging our staff and community to be advocates for crucial, positive changes in early childhood education. Recognizing that individuals from certain groups have historically experienced barriers to equitable participation, resources and leadership opportunities, we are dedicated to advancing equity across all aspects of our work.

INCLUSION: We strive to create an accessible and responsive environment in which everyone feels welcome, valued, and able to fully participate. Every staff member is encouraged to share their ideas and perspective, every child—regardless of developmental/learning/physical abilities—is invited to fully participate in the classroom, and Dimensions publications and hosted events welcome contributions from every individual.

Finally, we are committed to being honest and transparent about our organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion journey. We strive to continue to learn and grow, and we invite feedback and critique that will help us achieve our goals. We aim to build a global community that embraces our members’ diverse perspectives, cultures and backgrounds—and we commit to a continuous process of listening and learning.