While equity requires vision from its leaders, it also requires courage.
During the edWebinar “Leading for Equity: Courage to Lead with an Equity Agenda,” hosted by AASA, The Superintendents Association and AASA’s Leadership Network, Dr. Khalid Mumin, Superintendent of Reading School District (PA), and Marlon Styles, Superintendent of Middletown City Schools (OH), discussed the challenges they faced and the tough decisions they made to keep their equity agenda moving forward.
Equity sometimes requires unequal supports for students. While the goal is the same outcome for all students—graduation—the effort to get each student there will look different. Instead of trying to give each student the exact same experience and expect them all to graduate, leaders need to figure out what each student needs to complete their educational goals.
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Equity agendas require constant revision. Today’s actions might focus on internet access at home and the impact of social justice movements, but new equity challenges could arrive tomorrow. Leaders must be willing to go back to their boards, back to their administrative teams, and update their plans and budgets based on the current needs of their students and staff.