Oakland County Schools DEI Research Project | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Oakland County Schools DEI Research Project

September 2020 - December 2020

Summary

This project examined the connection between schools and the juvenile justice system that creates barriers to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Community partner

Oakland County School Boards Association (Summer ’20 and Fall ‘20)

Students

Jordan Incorvaia (MPP ‘22), Heather Berg (MBA/MPP ‘23),  Anna Balzer (MPA ‘21), and Claire Salant (MPP ‘22)

Project overview

Summer fellows evaluated and challenged the barriers to equity faced by students in the Oakland County School District. Using data primarily from government and research institutions, the fellows analyzed discrepancies in schools based on factors such as race, income, and school budget, and made policy recommendations to the Board.

The Fall project examined the connection between schools and the juvenile justice system that creates barriers to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Using the framework of the school to prison pipeline, students compared student codes of conduct throughout Oakland County schools and identified discrepancies between the racial and socioeconomic student populations and informed leadership of potential changes to school policies.