Time to Act: How School Superintendents Keep Equity at the Center of Their Leadership

How can education leaders keep equity at the center of their own practice and in their districts and schools? In the wake of the national uprising to end police brutality; equity issues are, for an increased number of Americans, top of mind. While school officials are grappling with how to bring students safely back to classrooms during a pandemic and provide them with a quality education, educators and the public are demanding that schools find remedies for systemic educational inequities. Clearly, now is the time for action. The Council of Chief State School Officers affirms, “While this moment brings challenges, it also offers the potential to rebuild education systems and schools that actively redress racial and other inequities. Returning to business as usual is not an option” (CCSSO, 2020). This resource guide is designed to support superintendents and district leaders to increase action for equity, make necessary mindshifts to move away from historical and systemic inequities, and provide equity-centered leadership. We note that other education leaders often contribute to many of these specific functions. This resource guide is also for them.