Diversity in BC schools is an overarching concept that reflects a philosophy of equitable participation and an appreciation of the contributions of all people. It is a concept that refers both to our uniqueness as individuals and to our sense of belonging or identification within a group or groups. Diversity refers to the ways in which we differ from each other. Some of these differences may be visible (e.g. Race, ethnicity, gender, age, ability), while others are less visible (e.g. Culture, ancestry, language, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background). The purpose of this document is to: (1) assist the school system in meeting its obligations under the Constitution Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the BC Human Rights Code, the Multiculturalism Act, the Official Languages Act, the Employment Equity Act, and the School Act; and (2) assist the school system in its ongoing efforts to create and maintain learning and working environments that are responsive to the diverse social and cultural needs of the communities it serves. This framework document describes key concepts, references guiding legislation and includes important implications for policies, strategies and initiatives in the school system related to: (1) honouring diversity and promoting human rights; (2) preventing discrimination, harassment and violence; and (3) responding to incidents of discrimination, harassment or violence when they occur. It is designed to assist in: (1) reviewing existing policies and practices to ensure they are consistent with legislation; (2) enhancing existing policies and practices to ensure that they address diversity; and (3) developing or implementing new policies and practices to directly address the diverse needs of the people served by the school system. This document includes four sections: (1) Diversity in BC Schools presents key diversity concepts - multiculturalism, human rights, employment equity and social justice. The goals of each of these concepts are outlined and relevant guiding legislation is highlighted; (2) Provincial Policies, Strategies and Initiatives describes provincial policies, strategies and initiatives that have been introduced in the school system that address diversity; (3) Implications for School Boards and Schools contains questions to facilitate discussion and prompt actions that will lead to continually improving policies, procedures and practices to support diversity; and (4) Guiding Legislation provides easy access to excerpts from legislation that are relevant to concepts presented in Diversity in BC Schools: A Framework. [This publication was produced by the British Columbia Ministry of Education, Standards Department.]