Black Student and Staff Perceptions of School and District-Wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives

• In Event: Saturday Roundtable Session 3:05 pm
  In Roundtable Session: A Seat at the Table: An Examination of the Perspectives of BIPOC Students in K–12 Settings (Table 2)

Abstract

Recent years have seen pushes for, and subsequently against, efforts to address barriers faced by students of color in public schools. Districts created diversity positions and other initiatives to achieve their stated goals of being inclusive learning spaces. This study examined the initiatives at one high school from the perspectives of those who are often at the center of educational equity conversations: Black people. We examined how Black students and one Black teacher experienced the school’s initiatives and found that efforts to make school more welcoming had their own barriers. Participants reflected on painful experiences relative to the school, explored concerns around the impetus and implementation of the initiatives, and expressed hopes for the future of the school’s equity work.

Authors

• Donald Shawn Siler, University of Saint Joseph

• Kristin Cistulli, University of Saint Joseph

• Angela Washington, University of Saint Joseph