Mission
We conduct research, develop tools, and support practice to ensure all students—particularly those historically marginalized—receive an education that is both preparation for democratic participation and rooted in systems of democratic governance.
Vision
We envision a future in which the major efforts to make public education systems more equitable and effective all begin by strengthening and expanding evidence-based democratic practices, especially in our most vulnerable communities.
Our History
The Center for Educational Equity was established in 2005 at Teachers College, Columbia University to advance the mission of equity in public education through applied research, strategic partnerships, and civic engagement. Founded by constitutional and education law scholar Michael A. Rebell, the Center built on the legacy of Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) v. State of New York—the landmark school-funding case Rebell successfully litigated to secure students' constitutional right to a sound basic education.
Originally focused on school finance and legal reform, the Center evolved into a hub for research and innovation in democratic school governance. In 2025, political scientist Jonathan E. Collins was appointed Director, ushering in a new chapter focused on data-driven governance, deliberative democracy, student voice, and education-technology integration. Under his leadership, the Center has deepened its commitment to studying and expanding democratic practices within school systems, particularly in historically underserved communities.
We remain rooted in the belief that sustainable educational equity requires not only sound policy and data but also authentic collaboration with those most impacted by inequality.
Welcome!
I’m honored to serve as Executive Director at a time of great possibility for public education. It’s also a time of great urgency. Our schools remain one of the last shared civic institutions in America. If we want equity in our public systems and strength in our democracy, we must start with the way we govern our schools.
At the Center for Educational Equity, we believe that democratic practices—public voice, shared decision-making, accountability, and civic learning—are not optional features of public education. They are the foundation. Our work is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: to make education more equitable and effective, we must make it more democratic.
This belief animates everything we do: from original research to practitioner tools, to our partnership work in communities. Our new initiatives, including the development of the OUTREACH digital platform for parent and youth engagement and the Making Democracy Real project, reflect a deep commitment to shifting how decisions are made in school systems. Success for us is centering students, families, and frontline educators in ways that lead to lasting change.
Thank you for visiting. I invite you to explore our work, engage with our research, and join us in building school systems that reflect the democratic values our students deserve.
~Jonathan Collins, Executive Director, Center for Educational Equity