School ‘Equity’ Lessons Are Too Often Reductive, One-Sided

Nathan Brinkman | October 29, 2025

My daughter’s public, government-run middle school has scheduled a “Family Equity Forum.” The RSVP form included a section inviting “suggestions for discussion topics and whether you can lend expertise to these efforts.” Here’s what I wrote:

In recent years, Swanson’s equity initiatives have too often felt very reductive, defining students and their families mainly on the basis of immutable characteristics. While this can have a dehumanizing effect on everyone, it’s especially marginalizing for students coming from interracial or intercultural families.

In addition, I have observed that equity lessons are often ideologically-charged and even one-sided in their treatment of controversial issues. This can alienate and even villainize students and families with sincerely-held alternative opinions or worldviews.

I would therefore suggest the following for discussion at Swanson’s November forum and beyond:

(1) How can we ensure that Swanson affirms and prioritizes respect for all students as unique individuals, rather than viewing and treating them as members of a larger group?

(2) What measures can be taken to foster a school environment that models and encourages genuine tolerance for diversity of thought, including those at odds with the majority?

I would welcome the opportunity to participate and assist with the process of developing a more universal, intellectually diverse, and tolerant approach to equity at Swanson.

Nathan Brinkman, who lives in Arlington with his two school-aged kids, is EdReform Virginia‘s executive director.