Useful definitions for exploring educational equity

Equal Access

Traditionally means impartiality in opportunity. Usually applies to physical or legal barriers

Equal Educational Opportunities

Providing the same resources, opportunities, and treatment for each student

Equity

Fairness, justice, and impartiality

Educational Equity

Beyond equal educational opportunity, educational equity is based on the principles of fairness and justice in allocating resources, opportunities, treatment, and success for every student. Educational equity programs promote the real possibility of equality of educational results for each student and between diverse groups of students. Equity strategies are planned, systemic, and focused on the core of the teaching and learning process.

Adapted from: Bitters, B.A. (1999). Useful definitions for exploring education equity. Madison, WI: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Equity Mission Team.

Key Components of Educational Equity

The Region X Equity Assistance Center has identified seven key components to ensure educational excellence by incorporating equitable and effective school practices.

Access

Ensure every student has an equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of the educational process, including learning facilities, resources, and extracurricular and curricular programs.

Instruction

Use instructional practices that promote positive images of diverse groups and a strong commitment to an equitable approach to teaching and learning.

Materials

Review textbooks, audiovisuals, and other materials to minimize bias in content, graphics, pictures, and language.

Assessment

Account for variances in student learning styles and cultural backgrounds, and align assessment with school curricula, instruction, and systemic improvement goals.

Interactions

Adjust interactions that may be shaped by biased attitudes and could result in relating to students differently depending on their race, sex, ability, ethnicity, or other factors.

Attitudes

Examine attitudes for biases or prejudices that may be unintentional but could result in discriminatory behavior that affects student performance.

Language

Monitor language for subtle or overt biases that can have a powerful influence in creating or reinforcing prejudicial attitudes.

Race Equity (Title VI)

Race Equity means the assignment of students to public schools and within schools without regard to their race. This includes providing students with a full opportunity for participation in all educational programs regardless of their race. Race desegregation does not mean the assignment of students to public schools to correct conditions of racial separation that are not the result of state or local law or official action.

Sex Equity (Title IX)

Sex Equity means the assignment of students to public schools and within those schools without regard to their sex, including providing students with full opportunity for participation in all educational programs regardless of their sex.

National Origin Equity

National Origin Equity means the legal protection of students, regardless of their national origin, which is provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI requires schools to ensure that sociocultural and linguistic obstacles are removed from the educational paths of newcomers, providing them with the educational supports they need to be academically successfully.