Leveraging Equity and Access in Democratic Education (LEADE)

Project Description

The goal of the Leveraging Equity and Access in Democratic Education (LEADE) Initiative is to provide educational decision makers with a set of research-based tools for assessing equity and access in civic education in order to improve civic learning opportunities for all students. Research studies have found that a variety of civic learning opportunities, delivered both in and out of school, can foster greater and more informed civic and political engagement. However, on average, white students, middle class students, and students in higher-track classes experience more classroom-based, after-school, and informal civic learning opportunities, and are much more likely to be engaged in extracurricular groups that support civic development.

The LEADE indicator system will help educators be more aware of civic priorities and ways to pursue them and provide clear information regarding the extent to which youth in their community have equity and access to valuable civic learning opportunities. It will also support public deliberation that includes all stakeholders—including civic leaders, parents, and youth—in dialogue about civic learning in and out of school and about what it means to prepare all youth to be community ready.

To learn more about the LEADE Initiative visit https://centerx.gseis.ucla.edu/leade/.