Diversity

Education news, analysis, and opinion around school diversity, including racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity, as well as coverage of gender diversity and LGBTQ issues

See Also: Equity & Diversity, Teacher Diversity

Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Equity & Diversity Opinion 'Culturally Responsive Teaching Isn’t Performative’: How to Get It Right
Want to create a more equitable education experience for all students? Start here.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 20, 2026
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9 min read
Children look at the Star Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the lyrics of the American national anthem, at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Washington.
Children look at the Star Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the lyrics of the American national anthem, at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History on June 10, 2025, in Washington.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo
Social Studies Trump Admin. Calls Popular Smithsonian History Teaching Materials 'Radical'
The White House criticized the Smithsonian's classroom lessons. But some teachers say the materials are invaluable.
Sarah Schwartz, July 14, 2026
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5 min read
Katherine Alfaro works with students at Russellville Elementary School, in Russellville, Ala., Aug. 9, 2022. Alfaro is an aide for English Language Learner students, many of whom speak Spanish at home. Russellville schools have the highest percentage of English Language Learners of any district in the state, and officials there have invested in aides and teachers who know how to work with those students.
Katherine Alfaro works with students at Russellville Elementary School, in Russellville, Ala., Aug. 9, 2022. Alfaro is an aide for English learners, many of whom speak Spanish at home. English-learner education is not immune to anti-DEI policies and politics, according to a new research study.
Rebecca Griesbach/AL.com via AP
States Anti-DEI Efforts Reshape How States Serve English Learners
A new research study shed light on how anti-DEI policies affect English-learner education.
Ileana Najarro, June 30, 2026
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5 min read
Serious young Afro-American teacher in casual shirt standing in front of projection screen and presenting a lesson in class.
Education Week + iStock
Teaching Profession Opinion We Can’t Give Up on Teacher Diversity
Many efforts to recruit Black teachers leave out a crucial element.
Sharif El-Mekki, June 10, 2026
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5 min read
September Dawn Bottoms for Education Week
Students in a history class focus on group activities as their teacher facilitates on April 7, 2026, in Sapulpa, Okla. A new national group is working to understand how to bring more male teachers into the classroom.
September Dawn Bottoms for Education Week
Recruitment & Retention Q&A A New Group Looks for Ways to Draw Men Into Teaching
Fewer men are becoming teachers, prompting new efforts to recruit and retain them.
Sarah D. Sparks, May 11, 2026
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4 min read
Equity & Diversity Reports Educator Beliefs About School Diversity: Results of a National Survey
The EdWeek Research Center surveyed educators to understand how they see the necessity, feasibility, and impact of school integration today.
December 22, 2025
The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Minneapolis Public Schools for discrimination in its efforts to shield teachers of color from layoffs and reassignments.
The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Minneapolis Public Schools for discrimination in its efforts to shield teachers of color from layoffs and reassignments.
Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune via TNS
Equity & Diversity Trump Admin. Accuses Minneapolis Schools of Racism in Protecting Minority Teachers
The Justice Department has filed its latest suit alleging racism for efforts to boost teacher diversity.
Anthony Lonetree, Star Tribune, December 11, 2025
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2 min read
SPED Base Aide Veronica Turbinton listens to a student carefully articulate an incident in her room at Benfer Elementary on Oct. 30, 2025, in Klein, TX.
Veronica Turbinton listens to a student in her room at Benfer Elementary in Klein, Texas, on Oct. 30, 2025. Turbinton is among hundreds of students pursuing a teaching degree who are losing federal support that's covered tuition and other expenses after the Trump administration discontinued teacher-training grants under the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence grant program.
Annie Mulligan for Education Week
Teacher Preparation Ed. Dept. Cuts Grants That Were Helping College Students Become Teachers
Ten universities collectively lost more than $20 million for efforts to diversify the teacher workforce.
Mark Lieberman, November 4, 2025
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9 min read
Education Week opinion letters submissions
Gwen Keraval for Education Week
Teaching Profession Letter to the Editor Images Should Reflect Real-Life Demographics
A reader pushes back on the illustration used with an Education Week Opinion essay.
October 31, 2025
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1 min read
Second grade students raise their hands in Dalia Gerardo's classroom at West Elementary, in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022.
Second grade students raise their hands in Dalia Gerardo's classroom at West Elementary, in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022. Gerardo is a bilingual educator. Experts say Hispanic educators with bilingual certification can boost English learners' academic performance.
Tamika Moore for Education Week
English Learners Why Bilingual Hispanic Teachers Make a Big Difference for English Learners
A new study found benefits from hiring teachers of color with language certifications.
Ileana Najarro, October 14, 2025
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3 min read
Worshippers pray at the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in Frisco, Texas, on Oct. 22, 2022. Worshippers celebrated Dhanteras, which is the first night of the Hindu holiday Diwali.
Worshippers pray at the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in Frisco, Texas, on Oct. 22, 2022, the first night of the Hindu holiday Diwali. More districts are putting Diwali and other non-Christian holidays on school calendars as populations of Asian students increase.
Andy Jacobsohn/AP
Families & the Community As Schools Grow More Culturally Diverse, Calendar Planning Gets More Complicated
Districts have added holidays like Diwali to their calendars to reflect demographic shifts in enrollment.
Evie Blad, October 14, 2025
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6 min read
Education Week opinion letters submissions
Gwen Keraval for Education Week
Equity & Diversity Letter to the Editor Let DEI Thrive: How Agency and Belonging Flourish in Identity Safe Spaces
We can’t afford to let go of diversity, equity, and inclusion, writes an author and educator.
September 26, 2025
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1 min read
Illustration with figure walking on downward arrow.
iStock
Education Funding Districts Lose Millions for This School Year as Trump Ends Desegregation Grants
Funding will instead go toward grants for mental health services in schools, according to the Trump administration.
Mark Lieberman, September 25, 2025
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9 min read
Vector illustration of businesswomen climbing up ladders
iStock/Getty
School & District Management Database Shows Which States Gain, Lose Female Superintendents
The database tracks state-by-state superintendent demographics, revealing persistent gender gaps and uneven progress in boosting diversity.
Jennifer Igbonoba, August 19, 2025
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3 min read