The growing divides across the educational spectrum all underscore the need to change systems to promote the talents and success of every student, particularly those who are racially minoritized or poverty-impacted within a state. Enacting a process to establish policy that addresses the needs of these student groups can help create the conditions for each student to succeed. To build targeted reforms that serve students who are often disproportionately impacted in the educational system, state and education leaders can consider policies and practices for maximizing opportunities and outcomes for each student group in their state. Using an equity framework, as outlined in this series of reports, provides an important foundation from which to start. This Policy Brief proposes three core principles for creating an equity framework: using data intentionally, understanding the institutional environment and implementing differentiated supports for underserved students. This brief is the first installment in a three-part series on how the use of an equity framework can support success for students who are underserved in educational settings. [For "Using Student Data to Address Inequities. Policy Brief," see ED620217. For "Promising Practices in Creating an Equity Framework. Policy Brief," see ED620215.]