Equity Front and Center: Using Role Plays to Identify and Prepare Aspiring Administrators to Lead for Equity in Urban School Settings

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 9:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
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Abstract

We examined the use of role plays in two educational leadership preparation programs (ELPP A and ELPP B) to select and prepare aspiring equity-centered educational leaders. We applied a three-part theoretical framework focused on the work of Khalifa (2018), Santamaŕa & Gaetane (2014), and Shields (2010) to analyze role plays used in candidate selection processes and in learning experiences across both programs. Sixteen role plays from ELPP A and 27 role plays from ELPP B were included in this qualitative content analysis. We found that role plays that align with these equity-centered principles have the potential to assist in the selection and growth of candidates as equity-centered educational leaders.

Authors

• Rebecca Ann Thessin, The George Washington University

• Abebayehu Aemero Tekleselassie, The George Washington University

• Timothy Drake, North Carolina State University

• Leslie Trimmer, The George Washington University

• Jennifer K. Clayton, The George Washington University