Together, Toward Equity: A Collaborative Equity Audit to Understand High School Opportunity Gaps

• In Event: Social Justice and Equity Leadership in Changing Times: New Perspectives on Research, Theory, and Practice

Abstract

The significant challenges facing our schools and communities require complex, nuanced and collaborative responses. And we need to fully attend to issues of equity and justice as we grapple with the implications of growing disparities and wealth inequities. This paper outlines the process and four -year outcomes of an ongoing university-school collaboration to conduct an urban district’s first-ever equity audit with the priority of understanding how equity plays out with access to Fine Arts, Athletics, and Advanced Courses (including AP, IB and college courses) at the high school level. Equity audits can potentially improve student achievement and other outcomes because their results paint a nuanced, data-informed picture with undeniable implications on school and district-level policies and practices.

Authors

• Christine Elaine Ashby, Syracuse University

• George Theoharis, Syracuse University

• Nathan Franz

• Sarah Gentile, Syracuse City School District

• Corey Williams, Syracuse City School District

• Benjamin Steuerwalt