Dr. Carol Kelley: Dismantling Racism in Elementary School

Dr. Carol Kelley shares how her district is building equity for all of its learners and creating a more anti-racist culture.

By SchoolCEO Last Updated: January 05, 2021

EPISODE SUMMARY

Dr. Carol Kelley shares how Illinois' Oak Park Elementary School District 97 is building equity for all of its learners and creating a more anti-racist culture.

EPISODE NOTES

The issue of equity is baked into the history of Oak Park, Illinois. In the 1960s, neighborhoods around Oak Park faced "white flight" and resegregation when they attempted to integrate. But in 1968, the city passed a fair housing ordinance, outlawing discrimination in the housing market.

The result, 50 years later, is an extremely diverse community, socially, economically, and racially. Its schools—including Oak Park Elementary School District 97—are no different. But diversity doesn’t always mean equity.

Enter Dr. Carol Kelley, who has spent her career in education making sure every child gets a quality education. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kelley about the changes she’s made in Oak Park to promote a more equitable, anti-racist culture in the district.

Dr. Carol Kelley (@drKforequity)

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (@OakPark97)

To learn more about Dr. Kelley's work on equity at Oak Park 97, visit SchoolCEO.com/Kelley.

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