The Role of Education Policy in Combating Systemic Racism

10 December 2024

Education is often referred to as the great equalizer, but what happens when the system itself is built on inequality? Systemic racism has been a long-standing issue in many countries, and education is no exception. In fact, it’s one of the spaces where racism can be most deeply ingrained. From the curriculum to school funding, from teacher bias to standardized testing, systemic racism in education affects millions of students, particularly students of color. But here’s the thing: education can also be one of the most powerful tools to combat this very racism. And that’s where education policy comes in.

Education policy doesn’t get enough credit for how crucial it is. It’s not just a bunch of rules made by people in suits that don’t affect you directly. These policies are the backbone of how schools operate, how teachers teach, and how students learn. They shape the entire educational experience. And if we want to address systemic racism in schools, then education policy has to be part of the solution.

So, how can education policy help combat systemic racism? Let’s dive in.

What Is Systemic Racism?

Before we go any further, let’s define what we’re talking about when we say “systemic racism.” Systemic racism (also known as institutional racism) refers to the policies and practices that are entrenched within social institutions, like schools, which result in unequal opportunities and outcomes for people of different races. It’s not just about individual prejudices or acts of discrimination—it’s about how the rules, processes, and norms of an entire system can disadvantage certain racial groups while benefitting others.

In education, systemic racism shows up in a lot of ways: unequal school funding, biased disciplinary practices, exclusionary curricula, and more. The result? Students of color, particularly Black and Indigenous students, are disproportionately affected and often left behind in terms of academic achievement, graduation rates, and access to opportunities.

The History of Systemic Racism in Education

To understand where we are today, we have to take a quick look at how we got here. Systemic racism in education didn’t appear out of nowhere; it’s been built over centuries.

In the United States, for example, the legacy of slavery and segregation has left deep scars on the education system. Even after the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared segregation in schools unconstitutional, the reality is that many schools remain segregated by race and class due to residential patterns, school zoning, and other factors. Schools in predominantly Black or Latino neighborhoods often receive less funding and have fewer resources than schools in predominantly white neighborhoods.

It’s not just a U.S. problem, either. Similar issues exist in other countries with colonial histories, such as South Africa, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. These countries have inherited educational systems that were designed to privilege certain racial groups over others, and while progress has been made, the remnants of these systems still exist.

Why Education Policy Matters in Combating Systemic Racism

Now that we’ve set the stage, let’s talk about education policy and why it's such a big deal in the fight against systemic racism. Education policy is essentially the framework that guides how schools operate. It covers everything from curriculum standards to teacher training, school funding to student assessments. These policies are set by governments at various levels—local, state, and national—and have a direct impact on what happens in classrooms.

But here’s the kicker: education policy can either perpetuate systemic racism or help dismantle it. When done right, it can create more equitable learning environments, provide better resources for marginalized students, and foster an education system that serves all students fairly. When done poorly, it can reinforce the inequalities that already exist.

Let’s break this down further by looking at some key areas where education policy can make a real difference.

1. School Funding and Resource Allocation

One of the clearest examples of systemic racism in education is the way schools are funded. In many countries, schools are funded through local property taxes, which means that schools in wealthier (and often whiter) neighborhoods receive more funding than schools in poorer (and often more racially diverse) neighborhoods. This leads to vast disparities in the quality of education students receive.

Education policy can help combat this by implementing more equitable funding models that ensure all schools, regardless of their location, receive the resources they need to provide a high-quality education. This could involve redistributing funds from wealthier districts to poorer ones or creating federal funding programs that target under-resourced schools.

By leveling the playing field in terms of funding, education policy can help close the gap between well-funded and underfunded schools, giving students of color a fairer shot at success.

2. Curriculum Reform

Another way that systemic racism shows up in schools is through the curriculum. For decades, the history and experiences of marginalized racial groups have been either erased or misrepresented in school curricula. When students don’t see themselves or their histories reflected in what they’re learning, it sends a message that their stories don’t matter.

Education policy can change this by mandating more inclusive and accurate curricula that reflect the diversity of students' experiences and histories. This isn’t about erasing anyone’s history but about telling a fuller, more truthful version of it.

For example, instead of focusing solely on the achievements of white historical figures, schools could also teach about the contributions of Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. This helps all students develop a more nuanced understanding of history and promotes cultural understanding and empathy.

3. Teacher Training and Bias Reduction

Teachers play a massive role in shaping students' experiences, and unfortunately, teacher bias can contribute to systemic racism in schools. Studies have shown that teachers may have lower expectations for students of color, may be more likely to discipline them harshly, and may not give them the same opportunities as white students. This can have long-lasting effects on students’ academic performance and self-esteem.

Education policy can address this by requiring teachers to undergo training on cultural competency, anti-racism, and implicit bias. By doing so, teachers can become more aware of their own biases and learn strategies for creating more inclusive and equitable classrooms.

Moreover, policies could ensure that the teaching workforce itself becomes more diverse, so that students of color see themselves represented among their educators. Research has shown that students of color tend to perform better when taught by teachers who share their racial or ethnic background.

4. Disciplinary Practices

Racial disparities in how students are disciplined are another way that systemic racism manifests in schools. Black and Latino students, in particular, are more likely to be suspended or expelled than their white peers for similar behaviors. This contributes to the “school-to-prison pipeline,” where students are pushed out of school and into the criminal justice system.

Education policies can help combat this by promoting restorative justice practices instead of punitive disciplinary measures like suspension and expulsion. Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm and addressing the root causes of behavior rather than simply punishing students. This approach has been shown to reduce racial disparities in discipline and keep more students in school.

5. Access to Advanced Coursework and Gifted Programs

Another area where systemic racism shows up is in access to advanced coursework and gifted programs. Students of color are often underrepresented in these programs, even when they have the same academic abilities as their white peers. This limits their access to challenging coursework and opportunities for academic advancement.

Education policy can address this by ensuring that advanced coursework and gifted programs are accessible to all students, regardless of race. This could involve changing the criteria for admission to these programs, providing more support for students from underrepresented backgrounds, and actively recruiting students of color to participate.

The Importance of Data and Accountability

One of the most important tools in combating systemic racism in education is data. Without data, it’s impossible to know where the problems are and whether the solutions are working. Education policies should require schools to collect and report data on things like student achievement, discipline rates, and access to advanced coursework, broken down by race. This data can then be used to identify disparities and hold schools accountable for addressing them.

For example, if a school district has a significant racial achievement gap, education policy could require that district to create a plan for closing the gap and track its progress over time. This kind of accountability is crucial for ensuring that efforts to combat systemic racism are actually making a difference.

Moving Forward: The Role of Community and Advocacy

While education policy is crucial, it’s not the only piece of the puzzle. Community involvement and advocacy are essential in pushing for the kind of policy changes that will dismantle systemic racism in schools. Parents, students, teachers, and community leaders all have a role to play in advocating for more equitable policies at the local, state, and national levels.

At the end of the day, education policy alone can’t solve the problem of systemic racism. But it can create the conditions for progress. By addressing issues like school funding, curriculum, teacher training, discipline, and access to opportunities, education policy can help create a more just and equitable system that serves all students, regardless of race.

Conclusion

Systemic racism in education is a complex and deeply rooted issue, but it’s not insurmountable. Education policy has the potential to be a powerful tool in the fight against inequality, but it requires deliberate, thoughtful action. From funding models that ensure all students have access to quality education to curricula that reflect the diversity of students’ experiences, there are many ways policies can help break down the barriers that systemic racism has built.

The road ahead is long, but by focusing on equity in education policy, we can help build a future where all students, regardless of their race or background, have the opportunity to succeed.