Policy and Bias: Why Adult Education Leaders Must Pay Attention to the Black Lives Matter Movement

The Black Lives Matter movement has highlighted the need to examine bias and misconceptions that drive systemic racism. In light of this movement, decision makers in adult education must consider how their own backgrounds influence the policy they create for a diverse population of students. This paper examines how bias can cause disconnects between leaders and the adult students they serve. By bridging the gaps between these disconnects, policy and decision makers can better understand equity and diversity problems, have more empathy for students and their situations, and become more mindful about the educational barriers that policies can sometimes create.