Cultivating Equity in Education Through Equity-Mindedness

Recognizing that shaping one’s mindset is often the most effective means of creating and sustaining systemic change, we cultivate equitable educational outcomes by fostering equity-mindedness* across educational systems. Every learner deserves the opportunity to succeed. The Friday Institute is committed to removing systemic barriers for learners. We honor the voices and perspectives of those who teach, lead and learn in NC schools and beyond through public discourse and cross-stakeholder convenings.       

*We define equity-mindedness as the mode of thinking exhibited by educational stakeholders who are willing to: 1) increase their understanding of the origins and causes of persistent and systemic barriers to student success, 2) critically assess their own biases, and 3) take responsibility for the success of all learners in order to increase equity in education.

North Carolina’s At-Home Learning Initiative

The At-Home Learning Initiative was created to help solve remote learning gaps across the state, specifically for 16.9% of public school students who have a lack of access to a stable internet connection. With funds from NCDPI through the CARES Act, the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation facilitated the creation and implementation of 192 literacy and math lessons for PreK-5 students as part of the initiative for remote education. One hundred and forty-four of those lessons for PreK-3 will air on PBS North Carolina. Reaching over 5.3 million households statewide on free public television, PBS NC could fill gaps in access through the new Classroom Connection program.

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Students LEAD

In 2018, the Friday Institute created the Students LEAD (Learn, Explore, & Advocate Differently) program. This was a first-of-its-kind online course to help students understand how they learn. As of fall 2020, the course was taken by over 10,000 educational leaders, and the student course was completed by over 1,450 students across the world. After participating in the Students LEAD program, students at Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School reported gains in their understanding of their learning differences and tools that support learning differences. By far, the largest reported change was the 27% increase of students who strongly agreed or agreed that they ask important adults for what they need to learn best.

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Activating Youth Voices: Promoting Activism and Advocacy in Teens and Young Adults

In this webinar, Dr. Christy Byrd and Dr. Crystal Chen Lee discuss examples from two initiatives, #PasstheMicYouth and the Literacy and Community Initiative (LCI), to teach five practical steps on how to promote youth voices. The LCI program has offered 260+ hours of literacy instruction and community engagement, served 160 students and facilitated 10 student publications. Students have shown increased leadership, writing and speaking skills; advocacy and awareness; and representation after participating in the program.
A teacher instructs a student work on a computer in a computer lab A teacher instructs a student work on a computer in a computer lab

MSEN Program Brings STEM Experiences to Rural Students

MSEN is a STEM enrichment program that provides 6-12 grade students from underserved populations with experiences that will equip them to attend a four-year college or university to pursue majors in STEM fields. The NC State MSEN program has served 284 students through their Saturday Academy program and currently holds a class or after-school club in five middle schools and two high schools.

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“I can’t really think of a better home for the LASER Institute than NC State and the Friday Institute. We take great pride, and place great emphasis, on supporting innovation, equity and capacity building in education. This project is a true expression of those values.”

-Shaun Kellogg, interim executive director of the Friday Institute and senior director of the Program Evaluation and Research Group

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2nd Annual NC Conference for Educational Equity Inspires Hope, Opportunity and Liberation for Educators, Students

More than 670 people from public schools, businesses and community organizations participated in the 2nd annual NC Conference for Educational Equity. Read the highlights in this event recap.

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