Education Equity: Promoting a More Just and Equitable Education System for All

By: Tasha Kolesnikova

Reviewed: Angelina Grin

9 min

3

04.14.2023

Education Equity: Promoting a More Just and Equitable Education System for All

We all know that education can be a major factor in a person's success, no matter if they're pursuing personal or professional goals. But here's the thing - not everyone has the same chances to get a quality education. That's where education equity comes in: it's all about making sure every student gets the same shot at academic success, no matter what their background, socioeconomic status, or other factors may be. There should be no barriers to equity in education. In this article, we'll delve into what education equity really means and the harm caused by education inequity. We'll also discuss government policies and initiatives that support education equity, as well as strategies for promoting it at all levels.

What is education equity?

Education equity is the principle that every student should have access to the resources and support they need to achieve academic success, regardless of their background or circumstances. This implies that all students, regardless of color, ethnicity, socioeconomic situation, gender, or sexual orientation, should be able to receive a high-quality education that fulfills their needs and helps them achieve their objectives.

The difference between equity and equality

While the terms equity and equality are often used interchangeably, there is an important distinction between the two. Equality means treating everyone the same, while equity means treating everyone fairly by giving them what they need to succeed. In education, this means that providing equal resources to every student may not be enough to achieve equity, as some students may need more support than others to overcome systemic barriers.

Education inequity in the United States

Education inequality is a major issue that can manifest in various ways. These include schools in low-income areas facing a lack of adequate funding, limited resources and support for English Language Learners (ELLs) and students with disabilities, and even racial or ethnic discrimination towards students. For instance, studies indicate that schools catering to low-income students receive far less funding as compared to those in affluent areas. This can have a detrimental impact on the quality of education and resources available for these schools.

The impact of education inequity

☝️ Negative effects on students

Students who attend schools that have fewer resources may lack access to materials that are critical for academic performance. This could include basic supplies like textbooks or access to online resources that may be necessary for understanding advanced subjects. Additionally, these students may have limited opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities or advanced courses, which can limit their future career and educational prospects.

Education inequality can also lead to racial or ethnic discrimination towards students. This can have severe implications, including lower self-esteem, lower academic achievement, and a higher likelihood of absenteeism and dropout. The effects can be devastating, prohibiting students from fulfilling their potential and leading to a loss of talent and intellectual capital.

☝️ Negative effects on society

Education inequity is a serious issue that can have a significant impact not only on individual students but also on society as a whole. It's not just about missing out on good grades or getting into your preferred college – it can have real-life consequences. Students who don't receive a quality education often struggle to find gainful employment or earn a living wage, which can perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality. This, in turn, can create social and economic disparities that affect entire communities. Some areas may have fewer opportunities to thrive simply because they lack access to quality education.

☝️ Economic impact

Education inequity has far-reaching economic consequences that can affect both individuals and society as a whole. According to the Equity Campaign, if we work to increase educational equity in the United States, we could see a whopping $2.3 trillion increase in GDP by the year 2050. That's not all – we could also save significant amounts of money on healthcare, criminal justice, and other public services. By investing in education now, we're setting ourselves up for a stronger, more prosperous future. It's a wise investment that will pay dividends for generations to come.

Policies and initiatives that support education equity

Education equity is a topic that policymakers and educators have taken up with great enthusiasm all around the world. There is a growing realization that every student deserves to have an equal opportunity to succeed academically regardless of their socio-economic background, race, or ethnicity. Governments and organizations have therefore implemented various policies and initiatives aimed at promoting education equity. These efforts are a testament to the belief that education is a fundamental right that should be accessible to all.

The Campaign for Educational Equity

The Campaign for Educational Equity (CEE) is one of those organizations that has been doing amazing work to promote education equity. Based at Teachers College, Columbia University, the CEE is a research and policy center that aims to create a more just and equitable education system for every student. They carry out research to uncover insights on education equity, and then use this information to push for policies that promote a fair education for all. On top of that, they also provide resources to educators and policymakers, so that they can play their part in advancing education equity too.

CEE strongly believes that education equity is essential, not only from a moral standpoint but also for economic growth. According to them, a more equitable education system can lead to better outcomes for individuals, communities, and the economy overall. CEE concentrates on several crucial aspects of education equity, such as ensuring access to quality early childhood education, fair school funding, and high-quality teachers, and providing educational opportunities for students who are economically disadvantaged.

The CEE has taken on some notable education equity cases. One of these is the Campaign for Fiscal Equity v. State of New York, which ended with a court decision that required the state to give billions of dollars in added funding to New York City schools. This ruling was intended to guarantee that all students receive a solid basic education.

Strategies for promoting education equity

1) Identifying and addressing root causes of inequity ✅

Achieving education equity is much more than just recognizing that inequality exists. It entails delving deeper to uncover and tackle the root causes of these disparities. This means addressing systemic obstacles like discrimination and bias, as well as larger societal challenges like poverty and inequality. Additionally, it's vital to engage and empower the communities that are most impacted by these inequities in order to create real, lasting change.

The Campaign for Educational Equity (CEE) has taken concrete steps to advance this cause by conducting research and advocating for policies that promote education equity. One of their initiatives involved teaming up with the New York City Department of Education to develop an Equity Framework. This all-encompassing plan aims to identify and tackle systemic barriers to education equity, such as unequal access to resources and opportunities. By providing a roadmap for addressing these issues, the framework is helping to create a more equitable education system that serves all students.

2) Addressing systemic barriers ✅

When it comes to tackling systemic barriers in education, there are a number of strategies that can be employed. For instance, implementing policies that promote diversity and inclusion, increasing cultural competency among teachers and staff, and providing resources and support for students who face discrimination or bias are all important steps.

Addressing issues related to access is key. The CEE have pushed for transportation options and language support for ELLs and worked to increase access to resources and support for students who encounter discrimination by providing training for teachers and staff on how to effectively address these issues.

3) Supporting teachers and students ✅

Promoting educational equity requires active support for both teachers and students, which can take many forms. For instance, supporting teachers might involve offering professional development opportunities that emphasize inclusive practices, along with tools like tutoring services and technology that can be especially helpful for students with disabilities or mental health needs. Equally important is providing students with opportunities to take on leadership roles and advocate for themselves. Building partnerships with local organizations and community groups can also play a vital role in supporting these initiatives.

That's why CEE does everything it can to support teachers and students. They organize workshops and training sessions that highlight the importance of culturally responsive teaching and inclusion, and they make a variety of resources available to help meet the needs of all students. Additionally, CEE works with the Children's Defense Fund on a Parent Empowerment Program that equips parents with the tools and skills they need to be effective advocates for their children's education.

Conclusion

Ensuring that every student has a fair and just shot at academic success through education equity is absolutely essential. When education isn't equitable, it can have some pretty terrible consequences for students, society at large, and the economy. That's why there are organizations like the Campaign for Educational Equity out there fighting to create a more level playing field for students everywhere. The strategies for promoting education equity are varied and complex, but they all share a common goal: identifying and addressing the underlying causes of inequities, ensuring that all students have an equal shot at success, and building strong partnerships with the community. Ultimately, we all need to be committed to education equity if we hope to create a more prosperous future for ourselves and generations to come.

References

  • Equity Campaign. (n.d.). The Case for Education Equity. Retrieved from https://equitycampaign.org/our-approach/the-case-for-education-equity/
  • National Conference of State Legislatures. (2018). Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): State Plans. Retrieved from https://www.ncsl.org/research/education/every-student-succeeds-act-essa-state-plans.aspx
  • Duncan, G. J., & Murnane, R. J. (Eds.). (2011). Whither opportunity?: Rising inequality, schools, and children's life chances. Russell Sage Foundation.
  • Losen, D. J., & Orfield, G. (Eds.). (2016). Racial inequality in special education. Harvard Education Press.
  • Equity Campaign for Educational Equity. (n.d.). Success Stories. Retrieved from https://equitycampaign.org/success-stories/
  • National Equity Project. (n.d.). Equity in Education: What it is and Why it Matters. Retrieved from https://nationalequityproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/NEP_Equity-in-Education-What-it-is-and-Why-it-Matters.pdf
  • Sadowski, M., & Masterson, K. (2019). The impact of poverty on educational outcomes for children. Social Policy and Society, 18(1), 83-96.
  • Equity Campaign for Educational Equity. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://equitycampaign.org/about-us/
  • The Education Trust. (n.d.). The Equity Line. Retrieved from https://edtrust.org/the-equity-line/

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    I studied sociology and marketing at Europa-Universität Viadrina (Germany) and Universidade da Beira Interior (Portugal). When I was a sophomore, back in 2018, I decided to put what I've learned into practice, so I got my first job in digital marketing. I currently work in the content marketing department at Studybay, building strong, effective, and respectful communication between the platform and our clients.

    Angelina Grin

    Creative Writer and Blog Editor

    Despite my relatively young age, I am a professional writer with more than 14 years of experience. I studied journalism at the university, worked for media and digital agencies, and organized several events for ed-tech companies. Yet for the last 6 years, I've worked mainly in marketing. Here, at Studybay, my objective is to make sure all our texts are clear, informative, and engaging.

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