Responding to the times: Adapting an evaluation study during a dual pandemic

Abstract

This paper is a critical essay to discuss an original methodological design for an equity school evaluation in diverse-by-design schools. The evaluation was to gather a broad swathe of data necessary to provide detailed insights on diverse-by-design schools in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. We chronicle and critically explore the methodological pivots generated by the research team as we conducted this research against the backdrop of both the COVID-19 pandemic and US nationwide protests in response to the murder of George Floyd and countless other Black people at the hands of the police. We challenge our own use of equity in our research design by centering school communities through agency of partnership.

Keywords: DEI; Diverse-by-design schools; Pandemic research; School evaluations.