New York Equity Coalition
The New York Equity Coalition is a group of civil rights, education, parent, and business organizations committed to fighting for greater opportunities and improved outcomes for all students in New York State. The Coalition zeroes in on policies that contribute to gaps in access and opportunity that hold too many students — especially Black, Latinx, Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islander students, and students from low-income backgrounds — back from a bright future and from the state achieving its economic potential.
Our Equity-Centered Approach
The Coalition formed in 2016 with a shared belief that the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) offered a crucial opportunity to improve New York’s education system. Coalition partners saw ESSA’s emphasis on enhancing state accountability systems as a chance to address the deep systemic inequities in access, opportunity, and performance — especially for Black, Latinx, Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islander students, students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, and multilingual learners.
In recent years, the New York Equity Coalition has since expanded to focus on other education equity issues that can hinder students from a bright future. These equity issues include meaningful graduation standards and accountability, increasing educators and leaders of color, access to advanced coursework, the state’s suspension crisis, and more.
Latest Resource
Report: School Leader Diversity in New York State
School leader diversity benefits students from all backgrounds and is an important factor affecting students’ success in schools. Attending a school with a principal of color has positive impacts on academic outcomes for students of color. Yet school leader diversity statewide reveals that more than half of students attend schools without any leader of color.
Featured Reports and Resources Over the Years
Report: Access to Advanced Coursework in New York
Statement: New York Graduation Requirements
Aid, Access, and Equity Series
Data Tool: Teacher Diversity and Retention
Data Snapshot
member organizations in the New York Equity Coalition.
More Resources
EdTrust-New York Responds to One House Budget Bills with Support and a Call for Increased Investment in Education Equity
EdTrust-New York believes the state has not invested enough in an equitable, student-centered education system, despite some positive developments in the recently released One House Budget Bill.
How Ibero-American Action League is working with newly-arrived families in Rochester
We recently spoke with Shalym Náter Vázquez, Director of Special Projects, at Ibero-American Action League, a member of The New York Equity Coalition, about the work the organization does in Rochester with newly arrived asylum seeker families.
Invest in EdTrust-New York’s collective advocacy this Giving Tuesday
With your support this Giving Tuesday our work can continue to advance educational justice in New York State.
EdTrust-New York statement on the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures Recommendations
The Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations on graduation measures reflect the diversity of the group as well as the commission’s deep commitment to the success of all children.
Honoring our 2023 Equity Champions at the New York Education Equity Benefit
On September 12, The Education Trust–New York hosted the New York Education Equity Benefit — a gathering of education advocates, leaders, and stakeholders across New York State.
Pandemic Proficiency
Check out the New York Equity Coalition’s in-depth look at Math and ELA proficiency in the 2021-2022 school year.