PROGRAM

Statistics show that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the United States are disproportionality impacted by COVID 19. This reality is not only true for health outcomes, but also for educational outcomes. Prior to COVID 19, educational researchers recorded decades of evidence indicating that the U.S education system has inequitably served BIPOC students. The pandemic will, and has most likely, already exacerbated these inequities. Leaders are being asked to reimagine what education will look like in the coming months (and years) given the impact of the pandemic on schools. Often missing from the policy discussions and budget cuts related to the pandemic is an explicit focus on racial equity.

Our conversation was moderated by Dr. Catherine Voulgarides, Department of Special Education, Hunter College, featuring speakers Natalie Zwerger, New York University Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools, New York University,  Paul Forbes, Office of Equity and Access, New York City Department of Education, Dr. Edward Fergus, Department of Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies, Temple University, and Dr. Ray Sanchez, Ossining Schools Superintendent, to discuss how we can reimagine education, considering both the possibilities and perils of this pandemic on achieving racial equity in schools.

RESOURCES

• Guidance on Culturally Responsive-Sustaining School Reopenings
  

  by NYU Metro Center



• Transforming Our Public Schools CRSE Booklet
  

  by NYU Metro Center



• Culturally Responsive Education Hub
  

  CRE Hub provides the history, tools, and resources to contextualize and build the movement for culturally responsive education and ethnic studies.


• Solving Disproportionality and Achieving Equity: A Leader's Guide to Using Data to Change Hearts and Minds
  

  by Edward Fergus

  In Solving Disproportionality and Achieving Equity, Edward Fergus takes us on a journey into disproportionality by engaging our hearts and minds on the presence of biases that create barriers to the success of students of color. If your school is faced with a disproportionate rate of suspensions, gifted program enrollment, or special education referrals for students of color, this book shows how you can uncover the root causes and rally your staff to face the challenge head on.