Equity & Diversity

Insights into how issues of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religious beliefs impact schools

Webinars

Webinars on Equity & Diversity
Browse and register for free professional development on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, and religious beliefs and schools.
  • This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
    Sponsor
    Equity & Diversity Webinar
    Creating Inclusive and Equitable Schools with Microsoft Education
    Explore platforms to drive greater learner equity, create inclusive environments for families, and give educators the tools to succeed.
    Content provided by Microsoft
    In this photo taken Aug. 8, 2012, Amber Starks braids the hair of family friend Zinnia Rickman, 7, at the Lock Loft in Vancouver, Wash.
    Amber Starks braids the hair of family friend Zinnia Rickman at the Lock Loft in Vancouver, Wash.
    Katie Currid/The Oregonian via AP
    Equity & Diversity Q&A ‘Our Hair Is Our Identity’: What Educators Need to Know About Hair Discrimination Laws
    More states are passing versions of the CROWN Act, which forbids race-based hair discrimination in schools.
    Ileana Najarro, July 5, 2022
    6 min read
    Montgomery County teacher and Kentucky Teacher of the Year, Willie Carver, in downtown Mt. Sterling, Ky., on May 11, 2022.
    Montgomery County teacher and Kentucky Teacher of the Year, Willie Carver, in downtown Mt. Sterling, Ky., on May 11, 2022.
    Arden Barnes for Education Week
    Equity & Diversity Citing Anti-Gay Discrimination, a Teacher of the Year Leaves the Classroom
    Kentucky's 2022 Teacher of the Year Willie Carver Jr. said he had been unable to find support from his school administration.
    Valarie Honeycutt Spears, Lexington Herald-Leader, June 28, 2022
    3 min read
    Bangor Christian Schools sophomore Olivia Carson, 15, of Glenburn, Maine, left, stands with her mother Amy while getting dropped off on the first day of school on August 28, 2018 in Bangor, Maine. The Carsons were one of three Maine families that challenged the prohibition on using public money to pay tuition at religious schools. The Supreme Court ruled that Maine can't exclude religious schools from a program that offers tuition aid for private education in towns that don't have public schools. (Gabor Degre/The Bangor Daily News via AP, File)
    Equity & Diversity Despite Supreme Court Ruling, Maine's Religious Schools Face Hurdle to State Tuition
    The Supreme Court recently allowed religious schools to participate in a state tuition program.
    The Associated Press, June 27, 2022
    4 min read
    Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks during the 2022 National and State Teachers of the Year event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
    U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks at a White House event in April.
    Susan Walsh/AP
    Equity & Diversity Proposed Title IX Overhaul: Key Questions on What's Next
    The U.S. Department of Education's proposed rules covering sex discrimination in education enter the public comment process.
    Libby Stanford, June 24, 2022
    6 min read
    People wave pride flags and hold signs during a rally in support of LGBTQ students at Ridgeline High School, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Millville, Utah. Students and school district officials in Utah are outraged after a high school student ripped down a pride flag to the cheers of other students during diversity week. A rally was held the following day in response to show support for the LGBTQ community.
    People wave pride flags and hold signs during a 2021 rally in support of LGBTQ students at Ridgeline High School in Millville, Utah.
    Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP
    Equity & Diversity LGBTQ Students Would Get Explicit Protection Under Title IX Proposals
    But the U.S. Department of Education did not include transgender participation in sports in the latest version of revised Title IX regulations.
    Libby Stanford, June 23, 2022
    6 min read
    Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland visits the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, Friday, June 17, 2022. Haaland spoke of the U.S. Department of Interior's efforts to help Native American communities heal from Indian Boarding School policies during a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday, June 22, 2022.
    U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland is keeping an intense focus on the Interior Departments investigation into abuse of Native American children in government boarding schools.
    Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman via AP
    Equity & Diversity Native American Advocates Testify on Need for Recovery Efforts From Boarding School Trauma
    The testimony follows an investigation that found tens of thousands of Native American children suffered abuse at government boarding schools.
    Libby Stanford, June 22, 2022
    3 min read
    Monique Lopes, 16, far left, dresses with unidentified football players at Pepin High School prior to practice Monday, Sept. 27, 1999, in Pepin, Wis.
    High school girls get ready for football practice at Pepin High School in Pepin, Wis., in a 1999 photo.
    Steve Kinderman/The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram via AP
    Equity & Diversity 5 Ways Title IX Transformed School Sports (and More)
    On the 50th anniversary of the historic civil rights law, here are five ways it transformed sports and schooling and still does.
    Apoorvaa Mandar Bichu, June 22, 2022
    4 min read
    Image of books in a cell.
    erhui1979/DigitalVision Vectors
    Equity & Diversity State Policies Set Up Incarcerated Students to Fail, Report Finds
    When students are in juvenile justice centers, they often lose access to high-quality education.
    Eesha Pendharkar, June 22, 2022
    6 min read
    People rallied ahead of the Newberg, Ore., School Board vote on whether to ban Black Lives Matter and Pride flags at the school on Sept. 28, 2021. The school board that recently banned teachers from displaying gay pride and Black Lives Matter symbols has abruptly fired the school superintendent, deeply upsetting board members who opposed the move.
    People rallied ahead of the Newberg, Ore., School Board vote on whether to ban Black Lives Matter and Pride flags at the school on Sept. 28, 2021. The school board that recently banned teachers from displaying gay pride and Black Lives Matter symbols has abruptly fired the school superintendent, deeply upsetting board members who opposed the move.
    Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian via AP
    Equity & Diversity Opinion How to Best Address Race and Racism in the Classroom
    Despite the challenges, teaching about the politically sensitive topic is important.
    Larry Ferlazzo, June 21, 2022
    6 min read
    FILE - Libby Gonzales stands with her father, Frank Gonzales, as she joins other members of the transgender community during a rally on the steps of the Texas Capitol, Monday, March 6, 2017, in Austin, Texas. The group is opposing a "bathroom bill" that would require people to use public bathrooms and restrooms that correspond with the sex on their birth certificate. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
    Equity & Diversity Title IX's Next Battle: The Rights of Transgender Athletes
    The landmark law to ensure girls and women could participate in sports is running headlong into fierce fights over the rights of transgender athletes.
    The Associated Press, June 20, 2022
    7 min read
    "No justice, no peace," shouts choreographer Markesha Howlett with Visual Movements, as she leads a march from the Old Courthouse in St. Louis to the riverfront during the second annual Juneteenth Commemoration, "On Their Shoulders" on June 19, 2021.
    "No justice, no peace," shouts choreographer Markesha Howlett with Visual Movements, as she leads a march from the Old Courthouse in St. Louis to the riverfront during the second annual Juneteenth Commemoration, "On Their Shoulders" on June 19, 2021.
    Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP
    Equity & Diversity Q&A Juneteenth: How and Why It Should Be Taught in K-12 Schools
    The national holiday's legacy is worth studying year-round, says the leader of a Black education research collective.
    Ileana Najarro, June 17, 2022
    4 min read
    High school students carry a giant rainbow flag during the Come Out With Pride Festival and Parade in downtown Orlando, Fl., on October 9, 2021.
    High school students carry a rainbow flag during the Come Out With Pride Festival and Parade in downtown Orlando, Fla.
    Ronen Tivony/Sipa via AP Images
    Equity & Diversity Biden's Order on LGBTQ Equality: What Educators Need to Know
    President Joe Biden's latest executive order takes a stance against "discriminatory" state laws and bolsters support for LGBTQ students and families.
    Libby Stanford, June 16, 2022
    5 min read
    Image of buses lined up with stop signs extended out.
    Getty
    Equity & Diversity Study Links Longer School Bus Rides to Chronic Absenteeism
    Chronic absenteeism rates are as high as 12 percent for students with long bus rides, researchers find.
    Williamena Kwapo, June 16, 2022
    2 min read
    Untitled design (1)
    Shutterstock
    Equity & Diversity Opinion Are Schools Too Inclusive? Some People Think So
    Acceptance of all children is a central mission of public schools—places where there's no room for hatred and fear.
    Peter DeWitt, June 16, 2022
    5 min read