ED-5008 v1

Ingram, R. (2024). Using leverage points to reconsider the sociopolitical drivers of exclusion from education. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 56(11), 1077-1087. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2024.2351039
In this article, the author argues that addressing educational inequity requires a fundamental shift from technical reforms to deep, structural change. Drawing on systems thinking and Meadows’ concept of “leverage points,” critical areas within educational systems—such as values, power structures, and dominant narratives—are identified where transformative interventions can disrupt persistent inequities.

Kober, N. & Rentner, D. S. (2020). History and evolution of public education in the U.S. Center on Education Policy. Eric.gov.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of how American public education developed from a patchwork of informal, exclusive learning arrangements into a decentralized, yet foundational institution in democracy. The authors emphasize that the system has always reflected broader societal inequalities, such as racial segregation, gender bias, and economic disparity. Understanding this historical trajectory is critical for shaping policies that promote inclusive, democratic schooling in the 21st century.

Orfield, G. & Pfleger, R. (2024). The unfinished battle for integration in a multiracial America -- from “Brown” to now. In Civil Rights Project - Proyecto Derechos Civiles. Eric.gov.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education declared racially segregated schools unconstitutional, igniting the civil rights movement and exposing the gap between ideals of equality and the reality of educational inequity for Black and Latino students. While the ruling led to significant desegregation in the South, it also sparked intense backlash from opponents who viewed court-mandated integration as a threat. This report explores how school segregation patterns have evolved, emphasizing the role of public education in addressing racial inequality amid growing social and political polarization.

Gonzales, R. G. (2024, Jun 14). Policy and place: Immigration, schooling, and the local context. Area.
Scholars have increasingly explored how immigration policy and geographic context influence the integration of immigrant students in educational settings. This article expands that understanding by examining the systemic factors that shape immigrant students' educational experiences and highlighting the need for contextually responsive policies and practices.

The Wiley Handbook of School Choice, edited by Robert A. Fox, and Nina K. Buchanan, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2017. ProQuest Ebook Central.
Read: Chapter 1: ‎A Brief History of Public Education in the United States - The authors describe how educational institutions in the United States have evolved from local community interests to addressing national and international issues, reflecting significant social and political changes throughout history. They also describe the role of education in shaping cultural values and social norms, including how it relates to marginalized groups.

The Henry Ford. (2023). The origin of public education in America [Video]. YouTube.
This video explores the origins of public education in the United States, tracing it back to 1600s Massachusetts and highlighting the role of Horace Mann in promoting free, universal schooling. One-room schoolhouses, where children of various ages learned together, were common, and local school boards often influenced textbook content, shaping education through their own worldviews. This history helps us understand current educational issues like curriculum debates, local versus centralized control, and the ongoing need to foster critical thinking and empathy in students.