LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The words "racial equity" are taking on more meaning within Jefferson County Schools (JCPS), as Chief Equity Officer Dr. John Marshall briefed school board members. There's a new plan in the works to include anti-racism training and more measures to bridge racial disparities among students.  

Staff are going through implicit bias training, which Marshall explained, "It was tough training for some. There [were] tears. There was frustration, and then there was also a lot of relief... a lot of relief that we have leadership that's brave enough and fed up enough to really want to address this."

The district's plan includes: 

• A student-led institute
• Black student union in each middle and high school
• Trips to the National Lynching Memorial, and HBCUs
• More teachers of color
• Staff to support diversity, equity, and poverty work
• Ongoing conversations about race and racism 

The district is also evaluating its school names and mascots for racism. 

Parents are paying attention. 

"We don't see enough acknowledgment of you know, students and parents who have had really negative experiences of [Louisville Metro Police Department]...of the laws that the city council has passed," said parent Jamie McGloin-King. 

He wants teaching that shows "government policies are a main driver of inequality."

"We have to start changing the things that are being taught, the way they are being taught," said parent and Louisville Parent Teacher Organization President Latasha Harrison. She wants teaching that shows, "black people as a whole have contributed to so much to, for the world to be where it is now."

Marshall makes the case for a vigorous racial equity plan like this by sharing statistics. He says that black students are suspended at 2.9 times the rate of white students. He adds, there's still a 31 point difference in proficiency in reading and math between African American students and white students.