Although diversity certainly existed within the one room schoolhouses that made up Bethel School District, the diversity of the 21st Century is much more varied, visible, and has a major impact on the education. When the Oregon Department of Education developed standards for all students in Oregon they included the expectation that all students from Oregon schools will have the abilities to succeed in a diverse workforce.
In 1999 a complaint against the school district was filed with the Office for Civil Rights. In accordance with the settlement of that complaint Bethel School District created the Oversight Committee, the position of Multicultural/Equity Coordinator and an anti-harassment policy. In anticipation of a State mandate to go into effect in 2004, the district’s harassment policy was updated to include bullying in 2002.