NewSchools Venture Fund has released “Unrealized Impact,” a groundbreaking study on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the education sector. This study is based on input from more than 200 education organizations and nearly 5,000 individuals, and was authored by Xiomara Padamsee, CEO of Promise54, and Becky Crowe, Senior Adviser, Bellwether Education Partners.
Among the key findings in the report, DEI practices have a positive impact on staff recruitment, retention and overall favorability. Among Advanced DEI Organizations, 88 percent of staff promote the organization, and 61 percent of staff – regardless of race – reported that they intend to stay in their organizations for the next three years. Less than half of respondent organizations have formal DEI policies within their own organizations, yet every organization that participated is focused on DEI to some extent. Twenty-four percent of all staff respondents report experiencing discrimination in the workplace, and staff of color were 50 percent more likely to report such an experience.
The percentage of Black and Latino leaders in American education, when compared to Black and Latino PreK-12 students, remains unbalanced. This is especially troubling given changing student demographics. In the sample, Whites represent 24 percent of students, 49 percent of staff at education organizations, 64 percent of leadership, and 74 percent of CEOs. Blacks and Latinos represent 61 percent of students, 41 percent of staff at education organizations, 24 percent of leadership and 17 percent of CEOs.
“As American students have become a more racially diverse population over the past decade, there is a stark difference between those who are doing the work and the racial demographics of the communities we serve,” said Frances Messano, managing partner, NewSchools Venture Fund. “Education leaders are increasingly committed to doing better on diversity, equity and inclusion, but this study shows many organizations aren’t sure where to even begin. The promising practices outlined in this report will give leaders a place to start.”
For more, see: http://www.unrealizedimpact.org/
