3 Steps to Help Build Equity in Your School District
Equity Institute is a nonprofit organization that works with schools and communities to develop and implement innovative solutions for building more diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning and professional environments. We support schools and districts as they engage in a customized sequence of learning and design activities that provide educators and administrators with a pathway to better serve students.
This article provides a brief overview of our key beliefs, thoughts, and ideas on how to build equity in school communities. I’ll start by providing a foundational understanding of equity and end with how schools can get started.
What is Equity, Anyways?
At Equity Institute, one of our major goals is to build more equitable learning environments. We believe equity in education means every learner has access to opportunities that are aligned with their needs and support their academic and social-emotional success.
We assert that equity in education resembles a system in which:
- Group identities (race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, ability, nationality, and socioeconomic status) are empowering and essential components in maximizing educational potential.
- Social circumstances (housing, food access, health care access, neighborhood safety) are organized in ways that support the well-being of all learners.
- Public policy and laws promote equitable outcomes in education (funding, educator preparation, curriculum).
Our approach to building equity in schools isn’t completely dependent upon our philosophical views on educational equity; however, it’s important to understand the foundation from which we operate. This definition can evolve and will evolve as we grapple with new ideas and engage in our day-to-day work with schools and districts.
The Process
Now that we have a foundational understanding of our views on equity, we can delve deeper into the process of becoming a more equitable education organization.
We believe the most vital aspect of building equity in schools and districts is engaging in a thoughtful process that brings together a wide range of stakeholders — this includes, but is not limited to, students, families, faculty, staff, administrators, board members, community organizations, and government officials.
Traditionally, schools and districts have empowered a limited number of individuals to lead change efforts (e.g. district and school-based administrators), which oftentimes cause key stakeholders to feel alienated or left out. Ultimately, these efforts typically fall short and lack support. Efforts to transform schools and districts to produce equitable outcomes are greater when a diverse body of individuals from across the organization help develop, implement, and communicate a vision for a more equitable future.
Given the centrality of broad community engagement in this process, building equity in schools and districts can be highly complex — even this may be an understatement. Nevertheless, these efforts are highly important as we seek to strengthen our communities and guarantee a secure future for generations to come.
Our research and work over the years has led us to divide this process into three phases: 1) Discover; 2) Design; and 3) Deliver.
Discover
Over the past couple of decades, data in education has increasingly become an ever-present topic, often creating deep divides across educational systems. From standardized testing to student daily attendance to suspension rates, educators collect a wide range of data.
The “Discover” phase is about collecting meaningful data that paints a more whole picture of what’s happening across a school or district.
In the years to come, we could see a heavier reliance on data as schools and districts seek to improve teaching and learning, which could dramatically change instruction. We, however, must thoughtfully use data as a tool with the understanding that it has the potential to both advance and hinder efforts to advance equity.
With all of this in mind, we believe data can play an important role in the process of building equity in schools. We aren’t referring just to test scores, but rather observational data and informational interviews, to name a few. Test scores can be helpful, but they’re often the end result of deeper, systemic issues at play — issues that only can be exposed through careful investigation.
Data collected in the “Discover” phase should ultimately lead to shifts in mindsets, habits, and actions as necessary. Our goal here isn’t to overburden teachers and administrators with an influx of information, but rather to collect useful information that supports the continuous improvement of a school or district. To accomplish this, we utilize a tool called the Equity Audit, which leverages appreciative inquiry.
Design
As previously mentioned, a diverse cross-section of a school or district’s stakeholders is particularly important in this work. The “Design” phase focuses both on 1) building this coalition of stakeholders, or what we refer to as “Design Teams,” and 2) facilitating participatory experiences where individuals work as teams to design equity-based solutions to systemic issues.
In this phase, we draw on design thinking to drive our process and center students in all transformation efforts.
During this phase, school and district stakeholders work to develop a collective, shared understanding of equity. In addition, they utilize data and information collected during the “Discover” phase to understand where they stand and how they might proceed. All of this contributes to developing a vision for the future.
Deliver
When it comes to strategic planning and visioning, we often see one problem that reoccurs constantly. After the vision is created, it sits on a shelf and may only be revisited occasionally in board meetings.
In the “Deliver” phase, we focus on implementing the vision and maintaining constant momentum. We find it useful to map the vision to actual strategies and initiatives that can be put in place. Additionally, having a visual way to track all of this, for everyone across the organization to see, is beneficial.
The goal here is to make consistent progress with the outlined goals and strategies. This is where schools and districts must invest in developing their faculty and staff to drive change; identify and remove impediments to success; and build and sustain momentum early.
Partner with Us
We believe great design can support communities in understanding the meaning and implementation of equitable practices and policies. We’re reimagining how we discuss and integrate diversity, racial equity, and inclusion to empower educators, students, leaders, and stakeholders as designers in creating sustainable change for their districts, schools, and organizations.
Equity Institute works exclusively with education organizations committed to advancing equity. Our staff has over 30 years of combined experience facilitating learning and design experiences focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. Contact us about leading a learning and development project with your school or organization.
GET LIT: What to Read, Watch, and Listen
This section includes content of what our Equity Architects are currently reading, listening to, and/or watching.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
A timely, crucial, and empowering exploration of racism — and antiracism — in America. This is NOT a history book. This is a book about the here and now. A book to help us better understand why we are where we are. A book about race.
NPR: Code Switch
by Shereen Marisol Meraji & Gene Demby
Code Switch’s recent episode titled “Why Now, White People” discusses the reason behind white people waking up and showing up for #BlackLivesMatter. To gain a deeper perspective on what makes this moment different and the connection between protests and the COVID-19 pandemic, listen
Solvable
by Anne Applebaum & Srdja Popovi
In this podcast episode titled “Unjust Systems of Power are Solvable,” host Anne Applebaum speaks with Srdja Popovic about how strategic nonviolent action can bring about lasting and meaningful social change.
If You Call Yourself An Ally, Listen
by Natalie Romain
This article is a combination of an open letter and a call to action for this Black woman’s communities. She tells them to do better to support Black folks and to think critically about their white privilege.
A Different World
by Bill Cosby, Susan Fales & Debbie Allen
Honeymoon in LA (S.6 E.1) shows Whitley and Dwayne recall their honeymoon in Los Angeles during the riots after the Rodney King verdict.
