2025 ACSA Equity Institute

Expanding educational equity consists of a framework of three intersecting elements: instructional equity, cultural equity, and digital equity. In this session, attendees will learn how expanding equity begins with providing high-quality instruction for all students. Achieving instructional equity requires paying attention to each of the three key essential elements that make up the “instructional core”: the student, the teacher, and the content.

In this engaging workshop, participants will explore how data can be leveraged to identify inequities, inform decision-making, and drive transformative change. Attendees will learn to interpret disaggregated data, uncover trends, and recognize systemic barriers impacting student outcomes.

The session will also focus on bridging the gap between data analysis and actionable strategies, equipping participants with tools to prioritize equity in policy development, resource allocation, and program implementation. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a roadmap for using data to make informed decisions that foster equity, inclusion, and student success across diverse educational contexts.

This session is ideal for school and district leaders, educators, and support staff committed to making data-driven decisions to create equitable learning environments.

Socially conscious educators are responsible for creating environments where outrageous love is on full display while simultaneously setting high expectations and culturally responsive systems of support so students can thrive. This workshop will provide an overview of the power of asset based practices and the impact on equitable outcomes for students. Understanding identity, intersectionality, language, and asset-based mindsets serves as the baseline for student achievement while also serving as the base for strong family to school partnerships.
-Take inventory on their own identity
-Review asset-based vs. deficit based thinking and language
-Apply an asset-based framework to policies, practices and procedures in their schools.

This session will introduce critical systems thinking strategies and tools and provide participants with meaningful practice interrogating leadership actions to maximize their potential to effect sustainable system-wide change.
1) Be introduced to 14 habits of system thinkers that can help leaders navigate complex change efforts
2) Practice utilizing the systems thinking habits using "ripped from the headlines" case studies from complex public systems
3) Reflect individually and collectively on the importance of a systems approach to ensuring educational equity and the barriers leaders face in enacting these.

Designing professional learning that supports white leaders to examine and reflect on their racial identity is absolutely essential to creating more equitable schools. Using the work of the UC Berkeley Leadership Programs as well as the 21st Century California School Leadership Academy, we will share about two different White Anti-Racist Leader Networks. You will hear from the facilitators about common dilemmas and issues that surface as well as stories of impact that emphasize the importance of this work.

Tolteka takes us on travels through Ethnic Studies Pedagogy (ESP), framing, and praxis. From a leader in the field, journey through experiential activities, and the correspondent Ethnic Studies disciplinary framings, that remind us, Ethnic Studies Pedagogy, cannot simply be conflated as culturally relevant/responsive pedagogy. When brought to genuine fruition, ESP can actually support students’ positive racial identity development, through helping to heal, sustain, and revitalize/regenerate students’ identities as holistic human beings, and in transformational ways – bringing the academic and social benefits that Ethnic Studies is known for (e.g. increased student attendance, higher graduation rates, higher college going rates), in the process. Learn more about how to bring this to fruition, in theory and pragmatically.

How can LEA and schoolsite administrators/leaders, teachers, and most importantly, students, learning these key Ethnic Studies framings and activities — help cultivate a connection to collective care, wellness, and be a small step towards helping to eradicate racism for a more just and equitable future? 

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