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.
Addressing Chronic Absenteeism
by Hedy ChangChronic absenteeism has long been a problem and it is unfortunately on the rise. Before the pandemic, 8 million students were deemed chronically absent. But on…
Developing a High-Quality and Diverse Principal Pipeline
by Nathan KrihaWhat do you remember about your favorite principal? I, for one, have vivid memories of the fearless leader of Cossitt Elementary in La Grange, Illnois, Princip…
Why America’s Students Need Social and Emotional Learning Now, More Than Ever
by Ed TrustStudents continue to face a troubling array of challenges — ranging from school shootings to racial discrimination to housing and food insecurity — all amid an…
Rethinking Layoff Policies to Protect Teacher Diversity
by Eric DuncanThe “national teacher shortage” has dominated news headlines for months now, with states and districts investing resources toward ensuring that vacancies are f…
SCOTUS Hears Cases on Student Debt Cancellation. What Does it All Mean?
by Wil Del Pilar and Reid SetzerOn February 28, the Supreme Court heard arguments on two cases that have been holding up student debt cancellation for the 26 million people who applied. The f…
Want Economic Growth? Start by Investing in Child Care
by Carrie Gillispie and Antoinette WallerPoliticians often tout healthy signs of the economy: people getting jobs, buying homes, and going back to school. But in a recent Delaware survey, 4 out of 5 f…
LabXchange: A Digital Tool for Success in AP Biology
by Ilyana SawkaIn 2021, more than 200,000 students worldwide completed the Advanced Placement (AP) Biology exam. AP Biology aims to prepare high school students for two semes…
Data for Equity Webinar Series
by Ed TrustShedding light on inequities — in school funding; access to high-quality educators from diverse backgrounds; advanced coursework; or safe and culturally affirm…
Guess What? There’s Already Under-Representation in School Curricula
A contentious debate about representation in our nation’s school curricula has been rumbling — and it goes beyond the current focus on the AP African American …
Why Students Deserve a Rigorous AP African American Studies Curriculum
There are more than 3 million students enrolled in AP courses, many of whom — regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender — will be impacted by the decision by th…
Student Mental Health: A Presidential Priority
"Let’s do more on mental health, especially for our children. When millions of young people are struggling with bullying, violence, trauma, we owe them greater…
State of the Union – Child Care as a National Priority
“Let’s make sure working parents can afford to raise a family with sick days, paid family medical leave, affordable child care. That’s going to enable millions…
Honest History Serves as a Student’s Ultimate Guideposts
by Denise ForteAs a Black woman, when it comes to knowing myself and my history, I think about how lacking my early years were, and how I spent my adult life playing catch-up…
It’s Time to Invest in High-Quality Teacher Preparation
by Ed Trustco-authored by The Commit Partnership, Educate Texas, Teach Plus, The Education Trust, and Philanthropy AdvocatesToday’s teachers are responsible for preparing…
Thoughts on Secretary Cardona’s Speech on ED’s 2023 Priorities
by Reid Setzer and Blair WristonU.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona addressed the nation on Tuesday in a speech called ‘Raise the Bar: Lead the World,” where he discussed the Departmen…
Teaching Tolerance Amid Contentious Turbulence
As the parent of a Black and Latino LGBTQ+ teenager, I worry for my child’s safety more now than when he was a fragile newborn or a precocious toddler. There h…
Two Stories That Prove Access to Higher Ed Courses Can Provide a High-Quality Education
by Ed TrustAll students deserve the opportunity to thrive. One way is to give high schoolers early access to college-level courses.Dual-enrollment programs are a powerful…
Who Belongs in STEM?
by Kristen HengtgenIn 10th grade, my high school math teacher casually told me that I “just wasn’t a math person.” I believed him immediately. Why wouldn’t I? He was the expert. …
Worried About Unfinished Learning? Ask Your District Leaders to Invest in Equitable Solutions Using ARP Funds
by Eliza KritzBy now, it’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately disrupted learning for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. Wit…
3 Ways to Improve Educational Outcomes for English Learners in P-12 Schools
Like a growing number of students in the U.S., I learned English as a second language. My parents brought me to the United States from Mexico at the age of fou…
