Skip to content
ascd logo

Log in to Witsby: ASCD’s Next-Generation Professional Learning and Credentialing Platform
Join ASCD
March 1, 2021
Vol. 78
No. 6

Relevant Read / An Essential Guide for Equity Leadership

author avatar

    premium resources logo

    Premium Resource

    LeadershipEquity

    You have 0 free articles left this month.

     and get additional free articles.

      Five Practices for Equity-Focused School Leadership by Sharon I. Radd, Gretchen Givens Generett, Mark Anthony Gooden, and George Theoharis (ASCD, 2021)
      'Equity leadership is not for the faint of heart.'
      Are you ready to do the 'emotional and intellectual work' that is required to lead for equity and to develop your individual and team's capacity to achieve systemic change in your school or district? If you are ready, read this book. If you aren't ready, read this book.
      Equity work is messy and uncomfortable, the authors of Five Practices for Equity-Focused School Leadership admit. There will never be an ideal time to start or a path of least resistance to take. With that in mind, the book guides leaders through skillful ways to engage staff in constructive dialogue and work through resistance.
      The authors share an actionable framework—five 'meta-practices' that build on one another—to cultivate equity-focused schools and districts:
      1. Prioritizing equity leadership (adopting a transformative approach).
      2. Preparing for equity (the ongoing emotional and intellectual work of equity leadership).
      3. Developing equity leadership teams (essentials for leading toward equity collectively).
      4. Building equity-focused systems (identifying needs and planning systemic change).
      5. Sustaining equity (preparing for the long haul).
      Leaders will learn, for example, to name and reframe deficit-based narratives that stifle equity work—'These kids don't want to learn,' 'Their parents don't care,' 'My colleagues aren't capable/cooperative/invested.' They will explore how identities—race, disability, socioeconomics, language, gender and sexual identity, and religion—impact school experiences, and how 'disruptive practices' can lay the groundwork for a more equitable learning environment.
      Using tools like a sample equity audit, 'pause and reflect' questions, and team activities, leaders can immediately put new learning into action.

      Sarah McKibben is the editor in chief of Educational Leadership magazine.

      Learn More

      ASCD is a community dedicated to educators' professional growth and well-being.

      Let us help you put your vision into action.
      Related Articles
      View all
      undefined
      Leadership
      Repairing the Leaky Bucket
      Chris Torres
      4 weeks ago

      undefined
      Making an Impact Beyond the Classroom
      Starr Sackstein
      4 weeks ago

      undefined
      The Someday/Monday Dilemma
      Justin Reich
      4 weeks ago

      undefined
      Reducing Teacher Workloads
      Chase Mielke
      4 weeks ago

      undefined
      A Matter of Respect
      Betina Hsieh
      4 weeks ago
      Related Articles
      Repairing the Leaky Bucket
      Chris Torres
      4 weeks ago

      Making an Impact Beyond the Classroom
      Starr Sackstein
      4 weeks ago

      The Someday/Monday Dilemma
      Justin Reich
      4 weeks ago

      Reducing Teacher Workloads
      Chase Mielke
      4 weeks ago

      A Matter of Respect
      Betina Hsieh
      4 weeks ago
      From our issue
      Product cover image 121040b.jpg
      Equity in Action
      Go To Publication