Educational Equity

Educational equity is not defined by a single curriculum, a specific budget item, nor is it the responsibility of just one individual. It cannot be reduced to a checklist or rubric. The pursuit of educational equity serves ALL students. Equity should be woven into ALL of our educational programs, operations, and facilities. Equity must serve as the foundation of ALL of our policies, procedures, and practices. It is the ultimate goal that we should all be striving to achieve in service of students. 

Barriers to Educational Equity

Barriers to equity stem from a range of factors, including the absence of a sense of belonging, stereotyping based on personal characteristics, restricted access to advanced coursework, disciplinary practices, and the harmful effects of racism, gender discrimination, antisemitism, and ableism. Additional obstacles include the lack of accessible role models who share similar identities, limited financial resources that hinder equal opportunities, and various other systemic challenges that prevent individuals from thriving on an equal playing field. Click here for more information.

What does educational equity look like for students, when barriers are removed?

• The student body reflects a rich diversity of human experiences, with each individual being equipped to engage, thrive, and succeed as learners and global citizens in the 21st century.
• The culture, educational programs, and support services are designed to address the social and emotional needs of students, ensuring that every learner is fully engaged and present in their educational journey.
• Barriers that often lead to unequal educational opportunities—where the "haves" receive more and the "have-nots" less—have been identified and removed, ensuring all students have equal access to challenging and enriching learning experiences.
• Excellence in instruction is the standard, with every educator committed to both professional growth and mastery, supported in ways that enable their development, understanding, and implementation of effective practices.
• Students are encouraged and supported to explore their passions while pursuing meaningful personal, familial, social, civic, and college and/or career goals and opportunities.                                                        "Building Equity Policies and Practices to Empower All Learners"