Who We Are

As a project of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), supported by funding from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this initiative exemplifies collaboration and leadership within Wisconsin. By forging partnerships with Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESAs), Local Education Agencies, Universities, and community advocates, the Network embraces a comprehensive approach to drive impactful transformation.

For the DPI, educational equity means that every student has access to the resources and educational rigor they need at the right moment in their education, across race, gender, ethnicity, language, ability, sexual orientation, family background, and/or family income. The Network has embedded the DPI’s foundational defining elements for educational equity within their programming. These elements include:

• Becoming self-aware

• Examining the impact of systems, structures, policies, and practices on learners and families

• Believing that all learners can and will achieve at high levels

• Understanding that all learners have a unique worldview

• Knowing and respecting the communities

• Leading, modeling, and advocating for equity

• Accepting the responsibility for learner success

• Using practices, curriculum, and policies that respect the identities and cultures of learners and families served by schools

To actualize these elements, the Network curated learning opportunities and engaged DPI staff and K-12 education practitioners across the state in skill, knowledge, and capacity building activities to enact these equity ideas and practices into their own work as a team and organization.

Leadership

The Educational Equity Network is driven by a dedicated team led by ananda de oliveira mirrili as the Project Director and Dr. Angela Balfe as the Project Manager. Their efforts are further supported by an Equity Advisory Workgroup, a collaborative team representing various departments and partner state agencies. This group convenes monthly to exchange insights, collaborate on strategies, and elevate the Department's equity initiatives. This group plays a crucial role in guiding and enhancing the Educational Equity Leadership Series and other related programs.