Where is Race in Leadership Preparation: Patterns Across a National Sample

This study examines where, how, and how consistently aspiring school and district leaders encountered race during leadership preparation. Guided by an anti-racist preparation framework, we systematically coded accounts from 77 administrators across 14 states, one Tribal Nation, and Washington, D.C. spanning 38 programs, then quantitized data for descriptive and inferential analyses. Findings show that race-related learning became more structurally embedded over time, yet remains unevenly distributed across programs, concentrated in awareness-oriented rather than practice-based strategies, and often dependent on individual faculty or cohort dynamics. These patterns underscore the value of intentional, program-wide design in preparing leaders to engage race consistently.