The Importance of Partnerships in Achieving Educational Equity: Examining a University–School District Collaboration

• In Event: 52.060 - The Promise of University Partnerships

Abstract

Based on our experiences as co-creators and co-facilitators of a teacher professional development series to support social justice education, we (two university researchers and two school district administrators) qualitatively examine key aspects of our educational partnership. Our findings indicate the importance of institutional support and interpersonal relationships. Namely, we found that mutual respect, different expertise and perspectives, and a common willingness to challenge the master narrative were key in cultivating this collaboration. This paper presents a fresh perspective on how universities and schools can work together to further educational opportunities for diverse groups and explore issues of inequality. We encourage researchers and educators to consider new opportunities to develop collective critical understandings in order to work towards socially just goals.

Authors

• Bailey B. Smolarek, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Giselle Del Carmen Martinez Negrette, University of Wisconsin-Madison

• Mandi Lynn Sersch, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District

• Percy L Brown, Middleton Cross Plains Area School District