Equity Focus

High-quality education helps ensure that all children in the nation reach their full potential and succeed. The pandemic has exacerbated barriers to opportunity often already a reality for students and young children from historically underserved populations, including those with disabilities, English learners, those from low-income backgrounds, first-generation college students, those experiencing homelessness, those in or formerly in foster care, LGBTQ+ students, undocumented children and families, student veterans and military-connected students and children, student parents, and international students.

“When President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law, the Department of Education went straight to work delivering an unprecedented $130 billion to help schools safely reopen and welcome nearly 100 percent of America’s K-12 students back into the classroom for in-person learning…Today, the Department is advising State and local leaders on how they can continue leveraging American Rescue Plan funds to establish new summer and afterschool programs; grow and strengthen a talented and diverse educator workforce; and invest in tutors, counselors, and other school staff who can lessen the burden on teachers and help tend to our children's social, emotional, and mental health needs. From kindergarten to high school to college and careers, our North Star remains clear: a robust and equitable recovery that ensures every student is able to succeed and pursue their dreams.”
Dr. Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education

As the nation’s PreK-12 schools, early childhood programs, colleges and universities, and institutions of higher education continue to recover from the effects of the pandemic, a distinct focus on expanding equity in education must remain top of mind. Communities have responded to the pandemic in innovative ways to ensure that students, young children, and families continue to have access to the tools they need to succeed, regardless of location or circumstance. Whether addressing connectivity needs, improving ventilation and air quality, providing necessities, collaborating with community stakeholders, or supporting students and young children from a wide variety of backgrounds, providers from early childhood education to higher education have worked diligently throughout the pandemic to ensure that students and young children continue to succeed. Now, as school communities work to not only recover, but thrive, educational equity remains a central element in academic planning.

The resources on this page share school, early childhood program, and campus strategies that specifically address equity. Teachers, early childhood providers, faculty, staff, schools, districts, early childhood programs, institutions of higher education, other places of educational instruction, and States may use these lessons learned, best practices, and Federal resources to ensure equity within all aspects of their education systems and to provide ongoing supports to those most impacted by the pandemic.

Image of a meeting with elementary school teachers students and parents

Institute of Education Sciences, Regional Educational Laboratory Pacific — Including Voice in Education: Addressing Equity Through Student and Family Voice in Classroom Learning

This series of fact sheets offers strategies for educators to incorporate student and family voice into classroom experiences, thereby promoting culturally responsive learning environments.

An image of the word hello in many different languages

Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center: Planning Guide for Starting Dual Language Programs

This guide supports State and local education leaders in planning, implementing, and evaluating dual language programs.

Asian disabled children in wheelchairs and woman teacher enjoying and playing guitar

Promoting Progress for Students with Disabilities (PROGRESS Center): Six Key Instructional Practices for Accelerating Learning and Promoting Progress for Students with Disabilities

This Webinar highlights key evidence-based instructional practices that help advance outcomes for students with and at risk for disabilities.

An infographic giving transgender / non-binary student statistics

Lessons from the Field Webinar: Supporting Transgender & Nonbinary Students in K-12 Schools

This Webinar, presented by the U.S. Department of Education and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, features educators and experts discussing challenges faced by many transgender and nonbinary students and offering actionable strategies for providing support.

Image of a Hispanic boy talking with a Hispanic girl and an African-American girl

Advancing Equity: Five Districts Focus on Improving Outcomes of Black and Latinx Students

This blog post shares examples of schools and districts creating safe and strengths-based environments to facilitate equitable learning for Black and Latinx students.

Submit Your Lessons Learned and Best Practices

Have a lessons learned or best practice focused on helping to ensure equity as schools and campuses continue to recover from the pandemic? Visit the Best Practices Submission page to view details on submission requirements, and then e-mail Bestpracticesclearinghouse@ed.gov to share your lessons learned or best practice.

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