Systemic Barriers for Racially Equitable Educational Leadership Preparation: Obstacles, Gaps, and Future-Oriented Directions

This study examines systemic barriers limiting principal preparation programs’ capacity to foster racial justice and equity. Grounded in Anti-Racist Leadership and Critical Race Theories, it investigates why racial equity remains marginalized. Inductive analysis of 77 qualitative transcripts from early-career educational leaders across the U.S. reveals that programs rhetorically emphasize equity but struggle to translate frameworks into actionable strategies for real-world scenarios. Race is often diluted within broad social justice discourse unless structurally centered. For example, experiential role-playing and direct dialogue about equity proved consequential, while compliance-based law and policy training functioned as a ceiling rather than a catalyst for transformation.