The Equity Line contains original analyses, commentary, and “on the ground” stories of students, parents, educators, and activists all over the nation striving to improve education. It chronicles our efforts, as well as those of partners and friends who are working toward the shared goal of closing gaps.
What School Leaders Can Do To Promote Racially Just Management of Funds and Operations
by Kimberly Sterin, Ph.D.As a middle and high school English teacher in a large public school district, I witnessed firsthand that there are many other adults in schools and districts …
Colleges and Universities Must Commit to Student Belonging in Light of Affirmative Action Rulings and Attacks on DEI
Given the recent Supreme Court decisions banning affirmative action, along with state attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, students of co…
District Budget Woes Likely Means School Closures: Here’s What Advocates Need to Know
With school now in session, some school districts that are struggling financially — largely due to the drying up of federal pandemic funds, higher costs, and l…
Improving Student Access to Empowering, Rigorous Content Webinar Series
by Ed TrustEmpowering our nation’s students to become well-rounded individuals — equipped to navigate the complexities of our world, contribute to an inclusive society, a…
Cultivating a Supportive and Inclusive School Environment
by Denise ForteWith the back-to-school season underway across the country, now is the time for our community of advocates for education equity to join together and support st…
A School Community That Engages Together, Stays Together
As every summer fades, the anticipation of a fresh academic year rises for educators, students, and their families across the country. In certain states in th…
What Advocates Should Know About the ESSER Fiscal Cliff
by Everton BlairDid you know that the federal ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) stimulus funds for public K-12 schools are running out soon? The deadlin…
Navigating College and Beyond Without Affirmative Action
The need for diversity, equity and access in college admissions, across university campuses and in the workforce — couldn’t be more heightened. Today, America …
Florida Social Studies Standards Are a Slap in the Face of Honest American History
I was dismayed to learn that in my home state of Florida, the state board of education unanimously approved new social studies standards for K-12 students, whi…
How Borrowers Should Prepare for Student Loan Payments to Resume
by Jaylon HerbinAfter a three-year pause, student loan payments will resume in October. The timeline for payments restarting was part of negotiations for the debt-limit deal t…
How the Supreme Court Decision Blocking Student Loan Forgiveness Affects Black Women Like Me
by Deiondria Lee-SandersOn two consecutive days in June, the Supreme Court delivered devastating blows to federal education equity efforts aimed at helping students of color and stude…
It’s Time for a Federal Ban on Hair Discrimination
by Ena WalkerIn the summer of my senior year, my private school updated its dress codes and introduced a ban on the use of head wraps, except for religious purposes. This n…
Refocusing on Resource Equity Provisions in ESSA Can Spur School Improvement Efforts
As our advocate partners know well, students of color and students from low-income backgrounds are significantly more likely to attend schools with fewer resou…
Dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline: The Ending PUSHOUT Act’s Focus on Black Girls
by Vanessa VargasIn Florida, a school resource officer (SRO) arrested Kaia, a Black kindergartener for having a tantrum, attempting to charge her with battery (see video). In N…
Building a Network for Educational Equity: Uniting Practices, Perspectives, and Power
by Morgan Scribner and Nicole WilliamsThe current political climate in the United States education system is highly polarized, with several contentious issues, including so-called critical race the…
The Importance of Developing, Supporting and Retaining Local Community Teachers of Color
by José Alfredo Menjivar Ortéz, Ph.D.As a bilingual Latino teacher of color, lifelong public school student, and education advocate my entire life in New York City, I never could see anyone that I…
Teranga Academy: Social, Emotional, and Academic Development as an Integral Part of Refugee Education
by Manny ZapataWhen I was in elementary school, I held onto this idea of getting good grades so I could go to a good college and eventually get a good job. But as I got older…
Who Are Your Influencers? Ed Trust’s Guides Help Advocates Identify Decisionmakers
by Shayna LevitanThis summer, education advocates across the country are busy developing, refining, and sustaining their priorities for the next school year. Foundational to st…
District-Nonprofit STEM Partnership Challenges Maryland Middle Schoolers to Invent A More Diverse Future
by Cara LesserIn a region populated with aerospace and biohealth employers, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) observed some years ago that lower-income Black and Latin…
Concerned About NAEP Long-Term Trend Results? There is a Path Forward
The recent NAEP long-term trend results are a concerning confirmation of the effect of unfinished learning on Black and Latino students and students from low-i…
