The Role of Equity Officers: Leading for Change or Leading for Show?

• In Event: Combating Oppression in Education

Abstract

This explanatory sequential mixed-method study explores Equity Officers’ (EOs) experiences serving as the person charged with all things equity in public school settings. Seventy-eight EOs from around the United States and internationally responded to the researchers’ 30-questionnaire, and through nine-hours of semi-structured interviews, the researchers analyzed the collected responses using a Critical Race Theory lens. The findings revealed that while there were an abundance of personnel appointments to the role of EO post-George Floyd’s murder, many of those appointments serve as an affront to appease Black folk and those who stood for racial justice as appointees were not afforded the opportunity to enact system-wide change.

Authors

• Teresa A. Lance, School District U-46
  Presenting Author

• Lisa Jackson, School District U-46
  Presenting Author

• Jacqueline E. Johnson, Community High School District 218
  Presenting Author