Advancing Opportunity and Closing Gaps
Explore research and policy reports from the Children’s Equity Project at Arizona State University on educational opportunity, civil rights, school discipline, disability inclusion, and the systems that shape children’s learning.
The Children’s Equity Project examines how policies, public investments, and education systems affect children and families. This resource collection brings together research on education vouchers, federal oversight, civil rights protections, exclusionary discipline, inclusive learning, and the conditions children need to learn and thrive.
Browse the reports below to learn what the research shows, understand how policies affect children’s experiences, and explore approaches for advancing more equitable learning opportunities.Education policy, vouchers, and public investment
The Data and Policy Landscapes of Education Vouchers: Inequitable Opportunity and the Unprecedented Shift in Public Education Dollars
Explore research, data, and state policies related to education vouchers, including universal voucher programs and potential implications for students’ civil rights. The report examines the shift of public education dollars and the rules that apply across public and private education settings.
Preserving the Federal Role in Advancing Educational Opportunity
Learn about federal programs that support children, families, healthy development, and quality education. This report reviews evidence on these programs and considers what reducing funding, transparency, or oversight could mean for communities.
Civil rights and disability inclusion
Safeguarding the Civil Rights of Children & Families
Explore policy approaches states can use to strengthen civil rights protections for children and families. The report examines state and local tools, including legal protections, funding, oversight, and enforcement.
Administering the Nation’s Preeminent Education Civil Rights Law for Infants, Toddlers, Children, and Youth with Disabilities: The Essential Role of the Federal Office of Special Education Programs
Learn about the federal role in administering the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The report examines how the Office of Special Education Programs supports IDEA through funding, technical assistance, monitoring, data collection, and research.
Inclusive Learning for Children with Disabilities
Explore research and policy related to including children with disabilities in general learning settings. This brief reviews the policy landscape and presents recommendations for expanding access to inclusive education.
School discipline and student opportunity
A Holistic Approach to Ending Exclusionary Discipline for Young Learners
Learn about the data, contributing factors, and policy approaches related to exclusionary discipline. The report offers a broad framework for reducing the use of exclusion and addressing disparities affecting young learners.
Harsh Discipline and its Disproportionate Application
Explore research and policy on suspension, expulsion, corporal punishment, seclusion, and the inappropriate use of restraint. This brief reviews the disproportionate application of harsh discipline and offers a policy agenda to reduce its use.
The Preschool (and Beyond) Exclusionary Discipline Study: Report 1
Review national and state data on out-of-school suspensions in public elementary schools. The report examines suspension prevalence and disparities in the early grades.
The Preschool (and Beyond) Exclusionary Discipline Study: Report 2
Explore visualized data on out-of-school suspensions in U.S. public schools. The report describes suspension as a form of exclusion from school and examines its implications for students’ access to learning.
National Equity Landscape of State Exclusionary Discipline Policies Across Pre-K–12 Contexts
Explore how state policies address exclusionary discipline across pre-K through grade 12. The report examines policy trends related to student behavior, limits on exclusion, the length of exclusion, and alternatives to harsh discipline.
The Price of Punishment: Days Missed Due to Suspension in U.S. K–12 Public Schools
Learn about research examining the number of school days missed because of suspension in U.S. public schools and how missed days vary among students, schools, and regions.
Learning environments and opportunity
Learning, Joy, and Equity: A New Framework for Elementary Education
Explore a research-informed framework for elementary education centered on children’s learning, development, and experiences. The report identifies 14 core ingredients for building child-centered, joyful, and effective learning environments.
Explore more Children’s Equity Project research
The Children's Equity Project publishes research and policy resources on early childhood education, Head Start, child care, disability inclusion, dual language learners, immigration policy, and child and family policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Education equity means that children have fair access to the learning opportunities, supports, and resources they need to learn and participate in school. CEP research examines how policy and education systems shape children’s access, experiences, and outcomes.
The Children’s Equity Project at Arizona State University publishes research reports, policy briefs, and resources on education equity. This page brings together CEP resources on vouchers, civil rights, disability inclusion, school discipline, federal education policy, and learning environments.
The Children’s Equity Project researches policies and systems affecting children and families. Its work includes early childhood education, K–12 education, Head Start, child care, disability inclusion, dual language learning, exclusionary discipline, civil rights, and education policy.
Education vouchers are public funds or publicly supported benefits that may be used to pay for certain education expenses outside traditional public school systems. Voucher policies differ across states. CEP’s research examines voucher data and policies, including potential implications for educational opportunity and students’ civil rights.
Exclusionary discipline refers to disciplinary actions that remove a student from the classroom or school setting. Examples include out-of-school suspension and expulsion. CEP research examines how exclusionary discipline is used, its effects on students’ access to learning, and disparities in its application.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, is a federal law that provides rights and protections related to early intervention, special education, and related services for eligible children and youth with disabilities. CEP research examines the federal role in administering IDEA and supporting its protections.
Federal oversight can help administer education laws, support state implementation, monitor whether protections are being upheld, and collect information about how programs are working. CEP research examines the role of federal programs and agencies in supporting educational opportunity and civil rights.
Inclusive education gives children with disabilities opportunities to learn and participate in general education settings with appropriate supports. CEP resources examine research and policies that affect access to inclusive learning.
When discipline removes students from class or school, it also limits their access to instruction and school activities. CEP research examines suspension, expulsion, other forms of harsh discipline, and disparities in how discipline policies affect children.
CEP resources are intended for policymakers, researchers, educators, school and program leaders, advocates, families, journalists, and others interested in education policy and children’s opportunities to learn.