Introduction and Overview of the Yearbook: Facilitating Institutional Change for Racial Equity in the Educational Pipeline

Abstract

Although problem identification and understanding the root causes of racism in its many forms is important, this yearbook identifies institutional structures, processes, and practices that are critical in working towards racial equity across the educational pipeline, with each chapter offering foundational perspectives for doing so. We need scholarship that identifies how and why racism in education is still a problem, as it is the first step towards developing solutions to address these inequities. Even so, more research is needed that goes beyond just identifying the problem of racism and moves forward with systemic action toward rectifying it. As such, the chapters in this yearbook give clear, well-defined recommendations for what institutional change is necessary to make solutions for racial equity a reality. Racial equity is a systemic outlook that ensures racially diverse perspectives are equally embedded in institutional culture, structures, and policies. Finally, the authors in each chapter emphasize that doing racial equity work is not a one-time initiative, but systemic, ongoing, and a goal that is nonnegotiable.