Work

Stepping forward on shaky ground: developing equity-centered principals in politically complex settings

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction Large urban districts across the country have tried to establish programs or partnerships that would ensure a pipeline of high-quality equity-centered school leaders. However, dubious, and sometimes hostile political contexts have often made these endeavors uncertain. Methods In this critical discourse analysis, we examine the contexts that frame the role of leadership pipelines in North Carolina, a state where the legislature has introduced several measures to diminish educational equity efforts along the K-16 spectrum. Results We find that the unsettled nature of a legal case, Leandro v. North Carolina State Board of Education, has helped to create an atmosphere of low certainty and that competing definitions of equity frame the role and necessity of leadership pipelines. Discussion Our findings offer important insights into the challenge of undertaking equity-centered reform in politically complex settings.

Source: Frontiers in Education

DOI: 10.3389/feduc.2025.1521049

Authors: Tiffanie Lewis-Durham, Kelly Bradford, Paula Hernandez, Brian Clarida

Institution: University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Language: English

Topic: Educational Leadership and Practices

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities, Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,353