Writing Equity Policy for a K-12 Public School District: An Insider's Perspective

Abstract

Drawing on school board policy development and implementation research and examining the significant interactions that exist in a K-12 public schools system undertaking the development of racial equity policy, the author examines (a) how a K-12 public school system can use local stakeholders to develop equity policy; (b) the factors that influence the development of a white equity leader in a K-12 public school central office. John Kotter's change management framework is used to lead internal and external stakeholders in a K -12 public school system to write racial equity school board policy. The author's findings reveal the importance of using alternative change management frameworks to guide racial equity policy development in public school systems. This autoethnography offers a look inside the journey of a white equity leader in central office.