DEI in Schools: Reclaiming the Promise of Education Through Racial Justice and Inclusive Practices
The American education system has long grappled with inequity. Throughout history, people of color have often received inequitable education standards. This struggle is a national problem that demands our urgent attention.
In Minnesota, we have a unique opportunity to lead the charge for transformative change by fostering elements of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in schools.
From inequitable access to resources to the realities and implications of achievement gaps, our school systems have failed to live up to the promise of providing quality and enriching education for all students. In some states, legislation actively hinders inclusive practices.
To reclaim the promise of education, we must embrace racial justice and inclusive practices.
Minnesota’s Evolving Landscape of DEI in Schools: 2012-2024
Over this past decade, Minnesota has been at the forefront of pushing conversations regarding elements of DEI in schools forward.
In 2012, Minnesota passed the World's Best Workforce legislation, which required all public schools throughout Minnesota to develop strategic, measurable and equitable plans centered on closing achievement gaps.
The legislation was a crucial first step. However, progress has been slow, and systemic barriers to educational equity remain firmly entrenched. Students continue to fall between the cracks because the foundation meant to support them has not been fortified.
Legislation like the World’s Best Workforce is a significant step politically. However, the way policies and resources are distributed is still inequitable and is felt across lines of difference.
In an era where justice and equity are at the core of American education system values and goals, two children in the same grade living in two different socioeconomic zip codes experience their American education differently.
We are not putting equal footing in the direction of equity if we continue to operate using this method.
A Tragic Turning Point: The Reckoning After George Floyd
The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020 served as a turning point, sparking a revival of the legacy of racism that has undermined our education system.
Suddenly, we could no longer ignore the urgent need to address racial injustice. Companies, nonprofits and, more importantly, school districts across the state scrambled to reevaluate their DEI policies and practices, with varying degrees of success and impact.
Schools began to adopt cultural liaisons and DEI-related roles at the district level with more capacity to tend to the needs of students of color and to ensure that all students experience equity, inclusion and belonging.
Community conversations on race, racism, belonging and inclusion continue to be hot topics of discussion in our schools. More importantly, they've become powerful avenues for students to exercise their First Amendment rights and voice their opinions. We're witnessing the rise of a generation of school-aged students who are increasingly vocal, organized and well-versed in DEI concepts.
Across Minnesota, we're seeing inspiring examples of student activism. In Coon Rapids, middle schoolers are taking the lead, organizing walkouts and spearheading teach-ins on various DEI topics. Their actions show that even our youngest students can engage with complex social issues.
The momentum continues at the high school level. At schools like Edina and Saint Louis Park High, students are going beyond simply voicing their concerns. They're actively using their First Amendment rights to urge school leaders to act and listen. But they're not stopping there. These young activists also conduct developmental workshops and training sessions on inclusion, bias and racism in schools for and by students.
This wave of student-led initiatives demonstrates a profound shift in how our youth engage with issues of equity and inclusion. They're not waiting for change to happen – they're making it happen. We must recognize and support this powerful movement as educators, parents and community members. These students are not just preparing for the future but actively shaping it, pushing for a more inclusive and equitable education system for all.
Disparities Among Teachers and Discipline
Now, we find ourselves at a critical juncture for DEI in schools. The changes implemented over the past few years laid necessary groundwork, but true transformation gaps remain. Disparities in academic performance, discipline and graduation rates continue to disproportionately affect people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.
The lack of diverse representation among educators and administrators remains a significant challenge. In Minnesota, students of color frequently do not have access to teachers who share their ethnic or racial identities.
Only 5.9 percent of the teacher workforce identifies as teachers of color or American Indian, whereas 36.7 percent of students identify as students of color or American Indian. Far too many of our schools still lack the culturally responsive curriculum and inclusive learning environments essential for empowering all students to thrive.
Evidence shows discipline is uneven among children of color as well. According to the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, Black students are 3.8 times more likely to receive one or more out-of-school suspensions than white students. In addition, black children represent 19 percent of the nation’s preschool population, yet these children represent 47 percent of those receiving more than one out-of-school suspension.
By comparison, white students represent 41 percent of preschool enrollment but only 28 percent of those receiving more than one out-of-school suspension. Even more troubling, black students are 2.3 times as likely to receive a referral to law enforcement or be subject to a school-related arrest as white students.
Contrasting Approaches: Texas and Florida's Backlash Against DEI
While some states, like Minnesota, are progressing towards effective DEI in schools, others, like Texas and Florida, are taking massive steps backward. Both states face significant criticism from educators, civil rights advocates and politicians nationwide.
In Texas, Republican Governor Greg Abbott and his allies have taken several actions that are seen as an attack on DEI efforts in schools. In 2021, the Texas legislature passed a law prohibiting teaching critical race theory in public schools even though it is not being taught in K-12 classrooms. This law has affected teachers across Texas school systems, forcing many teachers, especially teachers of color, to avoid discussions of racism, diversity and equity.
Similarly, in Florida, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and his allies spearheaded the "Stop WOKE Act," which muffles how race, gender, and diversity can be discussed in classrooms and corporate diversity training across the state. This law has been criticized as an attempt to whitewash history and stifle genuine conversations about systemic racism and discrimination in American schools.
Centering Racial Justice and Inclusive Practices: The Path Forward
It's time to reclaim the promise of education. We must ensure that our schools and tax dollars become true pillars of equity, inclusion and belonging. This will require allies, parents, educators and community members to engage with and be involved in their local school-level policies.
Local policies directly impact how we show up—or, in this case, how our students show up. If we want equity, inclusion and racial justice to be more than buzzwords, to be fully developed concepts that are applied and felt across school systems, we must take concrete action. Here are some steps we can take:
Organize community meetings to discuss educational equity issues
Attend school board meetings and voice concerns
Write letters or emails to local politicians and school administrators
Start or join parent-teacher associations focused on equity and inclusion
Volunteer in schools to support diverse learning environments
Collaborate with civil rights organizations to advocate for policy changes
Participate in or organize peaceful protests for educational justice
Use social media to raise awareness and mobilize support
Educate ourselves and others about systemic inequities in education
Support and vote for candidates who prioritize educational equity