EQUITY
In the past few years, the issue of Equity has risen to prominence in educational institutions from Pre-K through Graduate school. For Educational leaders it is presented as a primary driver of how we modify and alter educational programs, curricula, supports and interventions. Yet, despite the high priority Equity has in the schema of school improvement, it can be confusing and unclear to define exactly what Equity is and how we assess whether we have achieved it effectively.
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In my assessment, as a 40-year educator, Equity is the result of a continuous and ongoing effort to create a level playing field for students. The result should be for students to have choices and opportunities upon the culmination of their public-school experience. For example, a high school graduate from a Title I high school should have the same opportunities open to them as their middle- and upper-class peers when they have earned their diploma. That student should be able to choose their own path after twelfth grade, be it to attend a four-year university, enter the world of work, attend a community college, or seek a certification/internship/apprenticeship in a chosen field.
If you hope to level the playing field for students in our public schools, then this series will be an effort to provide resources. It is not an effort to promote an ideology, but to promote the sharing of ideas -- a place to learn from others who seek to provide the opportunities that all students deserve.
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Dr. Frederick Navarro
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ABOUT EQUITY
Equity in education refers to ensuring that every student, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to the necessary resources, opportunities, and support to succeed academically and personally. A focus on Equity recognizes that not all students start at the same level or have the same needs. Advancing Equity aims to address the existing disparities and provide an inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive.
Promoting equity is an ongoing process that requires continuous self-reflection, learning, and adaptation. By recognizing the basic principles of Equity in district practices, you and your staff can contribute to creating a more equitable and inclusive educational experience for all K-12 students.
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