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September 2021Volume 21, No. 3
The Role of Schools in Racial Justice


Because they are central to redressing the country’s longstanding racial inequities, public schools have long been at the nexus of fraught debates over what constitutes equity. As many states considered measures this year animated by varying interpretations of critical race theory and concerns about its application to K-12 teaching, this tension came into sharper than normal focus.

The debates focused on “what” and “how”: What history do teachers teach? How do they handle hard history and contentious issues? We hope the questions of why and whether schools have a role in promoting a just society are settled: All children can learn if they receive excellent instruction and equal opportunities to learn, have the supports they need, and feel safe and a sense of belonging at school. It is what justice requires, and yet the country is not there yet. The authors in this issue address how schools can progress toward equity.


The Role of Schools in Racial Justice



Image Credit: iStock

Achieving Racial Justice in PreK-12 Education

By Denise Forte and John B. King Jr.

Progress is possible. Back to normal is not good enough.





Designing for Equity

By Hal Smith

It takes a whole community to lift up policies and practices that support equity and end those that don't.





Teacher Diversity and Student Success

By Constance A. Lindsay

State policymakers should name diversity as a marker of teacher quality.





Equity and English Learners Post-Pandemic

By Julie Sugarman and Melissa Lazarín

State leaders should ramp up supports for EL students and their families.






Racial Justice through Expanded Choice

By Derrell Bradford

Decoupling where students receive education from where they live is key to undoing the system's racist roots.





Supporting Youth with the Most Need

By Hailly T.N. Korman

For many, the pandemic has been just one of a host of barriers to a high-quality education.





Engaging Students through Ethnic Studies

By Woody Exley

California, Connecticut, and Texas broaden their elective offerings.





District of Columbia Embeds Antiracist Lens in Update of Social Studies Standards

By Alexander Jue and Jessica Sutter

State board tees up a revision process and standards characterized by civic engagement and cultural responsiveness.







Opinion



Student Voice: Finding Hope by Finding a Voice

By Pragya Upreti

Democracy thrives when primary stakeholders are brought into the picture.





Women on board speaking to meeting

State Board Voice: The Struggle to Be Seen and Feel Safe

By Janice Mak

Together, state boards are helping AAPI students be seen and feel safe.





From the President’s Pen: The Pursuit of Goals for Education

By Robert Hull

In education we can’t seem to get traction, but we can sure get whiplash. Will this time be different?





The NASBE Interview: Dr. Vermelle D. Greene and Dr. Miya T. Simpson

By helping our Black boys, we are going to help all our students.







Featured Items

Multiracial group of teachers walking in school hallway. Image credit: iStock i

Strengthening the Principal Pipeline through State Leadership Academies

Missouri, Delaware, and North Carolina have developed evidence-based professional learning for current and prospective school leaders to increase their effectiveness and reduce turnover.
Credit: istock i

State Advances in Early Childhood Education Seed Plans for 2024

In 2023, several states made significant strides toward universal pre-K, increased funding and support for early educators, and improved literacy and math instruction.
Business people sitting on books. Image credit: iStock i

Curriculum That Counts

Authors in this issue of the Standard draw lessons from a spectrum of state policies that are being used to increase the adoption of high-quality curriculum.

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