Exposure/isolation measures of segregation through a QuantCrit lens: implications for education research

We briefly reflect on a current study that examined how exposure measures of segregation relate to access to an accelerated math pathway in which we proposed, using a QuantCrit lens, that exposure/isolation measures can function as proxies for shedding light on how structural and systemic racism influence the distribution of important educational resources. We refine our initial conceptualization by applying that lens to proposed models in Reardon and Owens's 2014 review of segregation research and demonstrate that exposure/isolation measures within the proposed modeling framework can illuminate mechanisms of systemic racism in resource allocation. Although it can be argued that these measures are established and useful, we caution against using them uncritically. Understanding these mechanisms can help policymakers, practitioners, advocates, and others design more effective strategies to address educational inequalities.