A First Look at the Pre-K–12 Equity Director: A Critical Inquiry Into Role Configurations, Constraints, and Affordances

• In Event: Park Central Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: Leading With Diverse Students in Mind

Abstract

Throughout the U.S., an increasing number of school districts are attempting to demonstrate their commitments to equity-focused school reform by creating and filling Equity Director positions. Despite the growing number of Equity Directors across the US (to our knowledge), no empirical study has examined this important leadership position. As such, the purpose of this study is to examine the configurations and enactments of emerging District Equity Director leadership positions throughout school districts in the U.S. We ask: How are Equity Director positions configured within district organizations? How and in what ways do a district’s racial and cultural-politics shape Equity directors’ enactments of the role? How do leadership experiences, identities, knowledge, skills, and dispositions shape Equity Directors’ enactments of the role?

Authors

• Terrance Green, The University of Texas - Austin

• Decoteau Irby

• Ann M. Ishimaru, University of Washington