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.
How A School District is Helping First-Generation Students Shape Their Career Goals
by Michael MatsudaIn California, you can often find residents from around the world. It’s the same phenomenon in the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD), home to nearly 3…
Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) as a Means to College and Career Readiness
by Natalie EdirmanasingheImagine how schools might be different if educators co-crafted their content, policies, procedures, and expectations with the young people they teach. Critical…
NAEP Is Telling Us Again That It’s Past Time to Close Long-Standing Resource Gaps
by Denise ForteThose who study educational disparities know that money matters in education. And it’s not just about how much money is allocated, it’s about resource equity, …
How a Student Organization Is Building a Memorial for Victims of Lynching
by Sarah ElliottStudents have unique ambitions and perspectives that they often voice through school projects. From learning how to effectively work with others to how to prio…
How the Build Back Better Act Will Dramatically Improve the Lives of our Youngest Learners
by Carrie Gillispie and Amanda GuarinoFamilies of kids under five face a particular set of challenges when it comes to child care. Early care and learning facilities across the country have shut do…
Redefining College and Career Readiness Through Critical Design
by Joanna Ali and Kia AllahCollege and career readiness are often assessed by indicators such as test scores and grade point averages. But there are other ways to forecast and encourage …
A New Approach to Supporting Students on Their Journey to College Graduation
by Lindsay PeckAs her first semester of college at Delaware State University began in fall 2020, Kadiatu Mansaray had a problem: She didn’t have a computer. While the first-y…
Blog Series: College and Career Readiness Through a Race-Conscious Lens
Going to college or entering the workforce after graduating from high school are quintessential milestones for our nation’s students. Preparing for these key l…
Funds for College Completion Are Essential for Educational Equity
by Reid SetzerRecent reports indicate that negotiations for the congressional reconciliation bill, the Build Back Better Act, are nearing completion. The draft bill includes…
Profiles in Education Equity: Jaleesa Jones, East Baton Rouge Parish School System
Jaleesa Jones has been a Louisiana resident for over 13 years and has served the students in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) in many capacit…
Build Back Better Act Is a Major Step Forward for Education Equity
by Reid SetzerThe Build Back Better Act contains several exciting and essential investments in early childhood education, school nutrition, higher education, and educator pr…
Strong Relationships are the Key to Understanding Students’ Experiences
Everybody remembers their best teacher. Mine is Dr. M, my graduate advisor and forever mentor. She’s someone I felt I could turn to for support, both academic …
How Schools Can Support Refugee Families and Students
The indelible images of Afghans hanging onto the wings of American airplanes at Kabul Airport and Haitians being whipped while attempting to cross the Rio Gran…
Understanding Students and Their Families Who Are Experiencing Homelessness or Housing Insecurity During a Pandemic
While COVID-19 has disrupted the lives of all students and their families, those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity are particularly vulnerable. …
How Advocates Can Ensure American Rescue Plan Funding Goes to the Students Who Need it the Most
Back-to-school season is usually accompanied by a spirit of optimism — and advocates have a reason to be hopeful. Bolstered by resources from COVID-19 relief f…
Preventing Suicide Amid a Pandemic
As if the deaths of nearly 700,000 Americans from COVID-19 weren’t depressing enough, the past two years have wreaked havoc on surviving Americans’ mental heal…
What’s the Big Deal with Statewide Assessments?
by Jessica MahoneyThe school year is underway — and educators, leaders and advocates are looking for data to make the most of learning time and to understand where to best alloc…
School Meals Are a Key Part of Educational Equity
As many as 1 in 6 kids struggle with a lack of access to food. A serious issue prior to the pandemic, food insecurity in schools has only gotten worse since th…
Students Are Back in School Buildings, But Things Are Not Back to Normal
Most of us remember having first-day-of-school jitters, but few of us have gone through what today’s students have experienced in the last two years. Students …
7 Questions to Ask Your District Leader About Where ARP Funds Are Going
Many students are returning to school after long-term school building closures. As a result, many advocates and families are concerned about children’s physica…
