Leading With an Equity Lens: Addressing the Intersection of Racism and Ableism in Public Schools

Abstract

The Council for Exceptional Children studied the profession of special education and found that a substantial number of special educators rated their confidence as lower in culturally responsive instruction strategies (Fowler, et al., 2019). The recommendations in this article highlight how to confront the intersection of racism and ableism and eradicate deficit ideology in educational structures. Leading with an equity lens requires a conceptual framework and diversifying the workforce, adopting a theoretical framework, engaging with diverse students and families, developing skills through systemic professional development, and using practices such as culturally and linguistically sustaining practices, and anti-racist Universal Design for Learning (UDL).