Since 2009, a major focus of the Lawrence Public Schools’ work to raise the achievement of all students and close opportunity gaps has involved school board members, administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, and community partners participating in Beyond Diversity training through the Pacific Educational Group’s Courageous Conversations about Race programming. Participants describe Beyond Diversity as a powerful, personally transforming experience. The training is designed to equip participants to understand the impact of race on student achievement and the role that racism plays in institutionalized racial disparities.

In addition to training all staff, the district has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence and LMH Health to offer Beyond Diversity to both organizations' employees. Lawrence, Kansas Police Department school resource officers also have participated in this training.