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.
The Right to Read
The right to be taught how to read is a birthright of all Americans, argues attorney Mark Rosenbaum. And schools have a responsibility to teach them, says read…
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Declares Supports for Kids and Families “Essential”
by Carrie Gillispie and Courtney BolligThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and families has been seismic. In a society held up almost entirely by the childcare and education sectors, bot…
School Leaders REALLY Matter
The education field has long understood that improving class instruction was the key to improving student learning.But for the past two decades, the focus of n…
Why I Teach, Where I Teach: So My Students Have the Opportunity to Define Themselves
by Priscilla ConerlyWe are all aware of the trite — yet true — expression that “education is freedom.” So, how apropos is it that I am an educator at a school called Freedom? Desp…
Opening a School Building in the Time of COVID
Schools have come under increasing pressure to reopen their buildings so that students can attend in person again. But those who insist that schools are safe d…
Profile in Education Equity: Cicely Alexander, Lubbock Partnership Network
Cicely Alexander has enjoyed a 25-year career in education and has worn many hats as teacher, principal, mother, and minister. Since 2016, she has been the exe…
The State of Reading in America
Recently the organization representing state education superintendents issued a statement urging their members to make reading instruction a core focus.During …
How Temporary ‘Hold Harmless’ Policies Could Save Schools and Districts
Time to sound the alarm: Millions of students are no longer listed on the rolls of their K-12 public schools, and there is no information as to where they’ve g…
Managing COVID-19
Junction City, Kansas (USD 475 Geary County) re-opened school buildings in September after a summer of planning and a myriad of mitigation measures, from closi…
Finding the “Missing Kids”
When schools closed abruptly in March 2020 because of the pandemic, it was reported that 8,000 of Baltimore’s students had not logged into remote schooling. Ro…
12 Questions We Hope Miguel Cardona Will Answer Before Senate Lawmakers
by Courtney BolligPresident Joe Biden has nominated Dr. Miguel Cardona, Connecticut education commissioner, to serve as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Education. On February 3, Card…
Kids Are Still Learning Things
At University Park Campus School in Worcester, Massachusetts, no one questions that the pandemic has been terrible and the remote school year has been difficul…
5 Things State Leaders Should Do to Ensure the Latest Federal Stimulus Funds for Schools Are Used Equitably
by Terra WallinIn April 2020, I wrote about how states could ensure that federal stimulus funds issued through the CARES Act could be used to advance educational equity in th…
Profiles in Education Equity: Geralde Gabeau, Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI-USA)
Geralde Gabeau is the founder and executive director of Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI-USA), which provides targeted academic support and enrichment…
The Urgency of Anti-Racist Classrooms
by Eric DuncanThe deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol earlier this month should be taught in social studies classes for many years to come. But the way it’s taught will be a t…
What Kind of School Produces Hundreds of Top African American Scientists?
One where educators take responsibility to help students thrive, excel, and be intellectually curious.More than 30 years ago, Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III bega…
It’s Not an Ideal Situation. But We’re Making the Best of It.
Pandemic schooling has been difficult at Malverne High School in Nassau County New York, but social studies teacher Brian China says that his AP social studies…
It’s Time to Consider Removing Metal Detectors from Schools Now
This week, several members of Congress complained about the hardening of the Capitol after last week’s violent insurrection. They complained that the metal det…
We’ve Probably Gone Through More Change Since March Than I did Through My Entire Career.
Steubenville City Public Schools had as its goal operating as normally as possible this school year, so educators spent the spring and summer learning computer…
Better Data for Better Early Learning Equity
Early learning programs are collapsing under the financial and logistical strain of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a July survey, 40% of child care providers, and h…
