The Graduate School of Education, in collaboration with the Western New York Education Equity Task Force, will host its annual Igniting Equity in Education Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Active Learning Center in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

This year’s theme, “Models of Excellence: Building Support for Neighborhood and Community Schools,” will guide discussions among educational leaders, university faculty, community stakeholders and policymakers. Participants will explore how neighborhood and community school models can center student needs, strengthen community ties and promote equitable outcomes across Western New York. 

Conference highlights include:

• Expert panels on defining neighborhood and community schools, and examining how those models operate in practice.
• Presentations of preliminary research from the Buffalo School Choice Research Project.
• Case studies on two distinct models: University-Assisted Community Schools and the BOCES CO-SER model.
• A policy-oriented panel focused on next steps and transforming insights into actionable change.

“At GSE, we believe educational equity is not a lofty ideal but a shared responsibility,” says GSE Dean Suzanne Rosenblith. “This conference offers an opportunity for our region to convene around practical, community-rooted models — neighborhood and community schools — that place students and their lived experiences at the center. When educators, families, researchers and policymakers work together, we can co-create systems that truly serve all learners.”

The conference is sponsored by the Western New York Education Equity Task Force with financial support from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Graduate School of Education.

Attendance is open to practitioners, researchers, students, community organizations and the public. Admission is free, but registration is required. Visit the Igniting Equity in Education conference web page for the full schedule, registration link and resources.