The History of Education Inequity
Education Inequality has existed since the beginning of the American school system.
Created by: Sydney Lynch
What is Equity?
Equity is defined as “the quality of being fair and impartial.” It means that every student should get the resources needed to succeed in school and beyond.
But, there is a difference between equity and equality.
Victor Stephens, Director of the Popel Shaw Center for Race and Ethnicity at Dickinson College, explained the difference between equity and equality using an inclusive classroom setting.
“Equality means giving everyone exactly the same thing. So it's the equivalent of having a classroom where maybe some students are sighted and some students are blind and saying, ‘Well, everyone has a book.’ Equity says some students in the space are blind, so they need a book that's written in Braille. So that's really accommodating a variety of needs, rather than assuming that everyone is exactly the same and needs exactly the same thing,” Stephens said.
Equity in education provides all students, no matter their race, gender, disability or socioeconomic background, the assets to create opportunity for success.
Written by: Sydney Lynch