Integration Now

Every student has a rightful place in our public schools and deserves to be treated with dignity. In 2023, the CDC found that just 46% of LGBTQ+ high school students feel close to people at their school – 13 percentage points lower than their straight peers. And the Trevor Project found that half of LGBTQ+ young people between the ages of 13 and 17 reported being bullied in person in the past year...

Racial disparities in school discipline remain a significant civil rights concern, but recognizing that disparities exist is only the beginning. Understanding what they reveal requires examining not only the data, but also the histories, assumptions, and practices that shape how students are perceived, supported, and disciplined. How can school and district leaders interrogate the conditions contr...

As immigration continues to shape school communities, educators are navigating complex and sometimes uncertain policy and social dynamics that shape the experiences of students and families in their school community.   Dr. Daniel Liou, a nationally-recognized advocate for immigrants, joins host Dr. Kathleen King Thorius to share how school and district leaders can create learning environments that...

Chicago’s schools have a long history of segregation, school choice policies, and privatization: how do these patterns shape opportunities for integration today? This episode draws from Chicago’s history to offer school leaders practical lessons on advancing equitable opportunities and outcomes across student race, sex, national origin, and religion. Listen to learn how Equity Assistance Centers (...

In this episode, nationally recognized desegregation and policy scholar Dr. Sarah Diem joins host Kathleen King Thorius from the Center for Education Equity at MAEC. Together, they explore how districts can use data, redesign enrollment, and assignment strategies, and navigate shifting federal civil rights guidance.