Digital Equity and Inclusion: Insights Into Educational Change and School-Initiated Improvements

• In Event: Redefining Leadership and Equity in Evolving Educational Spaces

Abstract

This study sits at the intersection of three important areas: 1) the evolution of educational policy, 2) the process of creating transformative school change, and 3) addressing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals. Data was collected from 37 participants from two school districts. Surveys and interviews captured perspectives on digital equity and inclusion and barriers to implementation. Two theoretical frameworks – principles of systemic change (Anderson, 1993) and equity literacy (Gorski, 2020) provided intersecting lenses through which to interpret data. Four themes and five cross cutting concepts emerged from the thematic analysis, which indicate there are no common conceptions of digital equity and inclusion. Suggested actions stemming from the themes offer school districts strategies for advancing their planning processes.

Author

• Christopher Sanderson, University of Arizona