LFE builds leadership from the inside out through an experiential learning approach to developing emotional intelligence, communication and relationship skills, cultural competence and racial equity. It is grounded in retreat-style institutes where teams deepen their personal commitment, connections, and efficacy while working toward common equity goals. Participating teams leave with concrete plans for their change efforts.

Participants learn:
• The impact of racism and other biases on education policies and practices.
• How to move equity to the center of planning and practice.
• Concrete skills for leading change in challenging contexts.
• How to improve working relationships and build teams and alliances in diverse settings.
• Research, tools, and other resources for equity-focused leadership development.

"Taking it Up! Leading for Educational Equity" by Victor Cary

How to participate in BayCES LFE programs:

1. Open registration institutes are offered annually in the Bay Area for teams. Institute dates and on-line registration are provided on this web site.  The 2010 Institute takes place February 4-7, 2010, in Sonoma, CA.  For more information and to register, click here. 
   
   
2. Customized coaching engagements are available for teams from schools, districts, or nonprofits working on educational and racial equity issues. Coaching engagements involve an initial, full or multi-day institute for 20-100 people, carefully designed with project leaders. We assess current strengths and challenges, identify learning needs, and ensure institute relevance for all participants. BayCES provides follow-up coaching and consultation to ensure implementation of institute learning and achievement of equity goals.
   

A full LFE engagement typically lasts 4-12 months including pre-institute research and planning with project leaders, the initial institute and debriefing sessions, follow-up coaching and institutes, and additional services, including strategic planning support, data support, individual coaching, meeting facilitation, reporting or other communications.

Recent LFE Clients

• A central office and its network of high schools to clarify equity goals and leadership development strategies.
• A city-wide collaborative effort to eliminate race-based achievement and health gaps (city council, school board members, district leaders, parents).
• A Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) program examining equity issues.
• A charitable foundation team working to fund programs that foster racial equity and concerned about race and power differences.
• A university education program preparing teachers to work in urban schools.

Client Testimonials

Over 90% of participants agree that as a result of Leading for Equity programming they are able to:

BayCES establishes a safe and trusting environment for leaders to look deep into our personal and institutional beliefs about race and equity.
- Kenneth Gallegos, Executive Director, San Rafael City Schools

BayCES addresses one of the biggest issues we face in schools in an effective, kind, and impactful manner.
- Cindy Bader, President Elect of California Association of Director of Activities

BayCES training has helped me tune my observations so that I can clearly see inequities happening on my school site.  It has given me the tools to listen carefully and think before responding to people involved in these inequities.  BayCES has helped build my courage to confront these inequities so that our children can go on to succeed.
- Claire Fisher, Resident Principal, New Leaders New Schools

Read more client testimonials.

Download a PDF about our Leading for Equity Programs. 

For more information about contracting with BayCES for an LFE engagement, please contact Sara Brown, Marketing & Outreach Manager, at 510-208-0160 x315 or email sara (at) bayces.org.