Racial Equity in Education Resources

Of the major population groups in the United States, African Americans face the greatest educational assessment challenges. On April 3rd and 4th ETS, ACT®, the Center for Assessment, the College Board®, the Learning Policy Institute, and the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine sponsored a conference entitled, "A Focus on Educational Assessment: Advancing African-American Education Excellence," to address these challenges in both the K–12 and college admissions arenas.

Fifty years ago this March, the Kerner Commission issued a seminal report on racial division and disparities in the United States. On February 27, LPI, the Eisenhower Foundation, and the Economic Policy Institute co-hosted a full-day forum in Washington, D.C., to release and discuss the findings from the 50-year update to the commission report. At the forum some of our nation's leading policymakers, journalists, researchers, civil rights activists, and educators discussed the status of civil rights today.

Fifty years ago this March, the Kerner Commission issued a seminal report on racial division and disparities in the United States. On February 28, the findings regarding education from the 50-year update to the commission report were released and discussed at a Washington, D.C. At the event, some of the nation's leading policymakers, journalists, researchers, civil rights activists, and educators discussed the state of public education in the United States, and what policy levers are needed to eradicate racial inequities that have persisted in historically marginalized communities and that can improve educational opportunities for all students.

This forum was designed to spur dialogue among stakeholders—parents, education experts, community advocates, researchers, legal advocates, policymakers, and school leaders—in order to shift the public narrative on school choice from one that is politically polarizing to one that is focused on evidence-based solutions that can help ensure all children have access to quality educational opportunities, regardless of race, income, or ability.

On February 28, 2019, the Learning Policy Institute hosted a forum examining where we stand today with regard to realizing the promise of educational equity outlined in Brown v. Board of Education. The forum featured experts who shared lessons learned from efforts to fulfill Brown’s promise and analyze approaches being taken to ensure that school system design helps prepare students to be effective participants in our diverse democracy.

Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights Data Collection demonstrate that students of color, students with disabilities, and other historically underserved students are disproportionately impacted by zero-tolerance school discipline policies. During this briefing, panelists highlighted alternative, research-based school discipline policies and practices which create safe, inclusive learning environments for all students. LPI also released a new report, Protecting Students’ Civil Rights: The Federal Role in School Discipline.

More than half a century after the passage of Brown v. Board, the nation’s schools are becoming increasingly segregated by race and income. And yet, a large body of research shows that school desegregation benefits all students. At this briefing, speakers discussed the research and polices on integration and school funding and how they impact students during school and later in life.

How can social and emotional learning and cultural competence be integrated into educator preparation programs? Expert researchers and policymakers discussed this question in this webinar, with the goal of equipping teachers to consider the needs of the whole child with equity in mind.

The nation’s work towards greater racial equity and a more just society in many ways begins with more diverse and inclusive learning environments. Yet public schools are increasingly segregated along both racial and socioeconomic lines. This briefing explored the benefits of diverse and inclusive schools, instructional approaches that create inclusive classrooms, the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive practices, and state and federal opportunities to support diverse and inclusive school systems.

How can school districts advance equity and opportunity in partnership with students, teachers, and families? In the final webinar of a five-part series, panelists discussed strategies for how to evaluate existing district work on diversity, equity, and inclusion through intentional conversations and strategies. Strategies discussed include allocating resources equitably, providing students access to deeper learning, and supporting social and emotional learning.