The Role District Leaders Play in Advancing Resource Equity District Leaders

Principals and instructional leaders set the tone for student experiences. These leaders should not only put systems in place to meet students’ individual needs, but also reflect the diversity of the student body to inspire all students to reach new heights.

Teachers are educators, role models, and guides on the path to success. All students benefit when districts foster a racially and linguistically diverse workforce of high-quality teachers who provide engaging, culturally relevant, and standards-aligned instruction.

Ensuring students with higher needs have access to a high-quality education starts with flexible and transparent funding systems. Districts should differentiate and distribute funding based on specific needs in order to enable all students to thrive.

In school and in life, diversity helps everyone grow. Students need racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse classrooms that reflect the world around them and help them engage with different perspectives.

Learning isn’t just about curriculum. It’s also about the facilities in which students engage with their lessons. Structurally sound, well-maintained, and appropriate physical environments are imperative to the learning experience, helping students feel safe at school.

Success in high school, college, or career starts early. With high-quality preschool programs that meet individual student needs, districts can help students take their first steps on the path to long-term academic achievement.

Every student is unique—so their support systems should be unique as well. To set students up for success in school and post-graduation, districts should invest in individualized, integrated supports that reach students holistically.