Rightful presence in education systems: a framework for building equity and justice at the systems level¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The brief defines rightful presence as a systems-level extension of a concept from sanctuary-city scholarship, reimagined for classrooms by Calabrese Barton and Tan and extended to education systems by SWIFT Education Center as "a foundation for building equity and justice for students, families, and communities who often experience the inequities in the current system." It holds that rightful presence lives in schools when previously excluded students, families, and communities experience belonging while holding power to shape policy and practice decisions.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Collective action from all parts of an educational system to change culture, policies, systems, and practices

Constraints¶

• The brief presents a conceptual framework with one illustrative example rather than empirical test data

Target Learners¶

• students, families, and communities who experience systemic inequities

Target Learning Objectives¶

• equitable and just educational policies and practices
• meaningful learning for all students

Claims¶

Related Theories¶

• Inclusion versus rightful presence: a four-dimension contrast (rights, time, burden, culture)
• Rightful Presence
• DEIB framework: diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as interdependent foundations of collaborative learning

Examples¶

• Shared power: previously excluded students, families, and communities co-create and shape educational systems, policies, and practices
• Presume the rightful presence and inherent value of disenfranchised students, families, and communities from the start
• Rightful Presence Implementation Guide (swiftschools.org)
• Reimagine campus physical spaces as part of institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments

Key Sources¶

• SWIFT Education Center. (2025, May). Rightful presence in education systems. https://swiftschools.org