E-QUALITY
WHAT IS EQUITABLE EDUCATION ?
Educational equity means the educational system gives each student what he or she needs to perform at an acceptable level. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), equity in education has two dimensions that are closely intertwined.
- Fairness:It means making sure that personal and social circumstances are not obstacles to achieving educational potential. It prohibits discrimination based on gender, ethnic origin, or socioeconomic status.
- Inclusion:It ensures a basic minimum standard of education for all. For example, everyone should be able to read, write, and do simple arithmetic. If some students need more to get there, they should receive it.
CAUSES OF INEQUITY IN EDUCATION
Educational inequality is the unequal distribution of academic resources, including but not limited to; school funding, qualified and experienced teachers, books, and technologies to socially excluded communities. These communities tend
to be historically disadvantaged and oppressed. More times than not, individuals belonging to these marginalized groups are also denied access to the schools with abundant resources.
Family background. A correlation exists between the academic success of parents with the academic success of their children.Only 11% of children from the bottom fifth earn a college degree while 80%
of the top fifth earn one. Linked with resources, white students tend to have more educated parents than students from minority families. This translates to a home-life that is more supportive of educational success. This often leads
to them receiving more at-home help, have more books in their home, attend more libraries, and engage in more intellectually intensive conversations.
Gender.
Female. Obstacles preventing females' ability to receive a quality education include traditional attitudes towards gender roles, poverty, geographical isolation, gender-based violence, and early marriage
and pregnancy. Throughout the world, there is an estimated 7 million more girls than boys out of school.Females are shown to be at risk of being attacked in at least 15 countries. Attacks can occur because individuals within those
countries do not believe women should receive an education. Attacks include kidnappings, bombings, torture, rape, and murder.
Male. In 51 countries, girls are enrolled at higher rates than boys. Particularly in Latin America, the difference is attributed to the prominence of gangs and violence attracting male youth. The gangs
pull the males in, distracting them from school and causing them to drop out.
Race and Ethnicity.
Unequal school resources.
Because of race and class segregation and its relationship to local school revenues, students in high-poverty racially segregated schools are not exposed to high-quality curricula, highly qualified teachers, or important
social networks as often as students in wealthier, predominantly white schools.
Unequal academic opportunities. Schools where white students are in the majority are more than twice as likely to offer a significant number of advanced placement classes as schools where black and latino
students are in the majority. Black and Latino students with the same test scores as White and Asian students are less likely to be placed in accelerated courses and more likely to be placed in low-track academic courses.
WHY EQUITY IN EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT
Beyond the idea that equity is morally right, the research and data suggests striving toward educational equity is a winning strategy for all students.
Improves our communities. Public schools are intended not only to prepare students for college and careers, but for citizenship or participation in civic life. Not only do schools teach civics and democracy,
but they embody it. In addition, students who attend economically and racially diverse schools – a key component of educational equity is this kind of integration – express fewer discriminatory attitudes and prejudices.
Challenges the imbalance of power and privilege. Western society has a long history of maintaining the power and privilege of the select few – usually white, male, upper-class citizens – by limiting
access to education. Slaves were forbidden to attend school or learn to read and write. Why? Because knowledge is power. The systemic racism that is embedded in U.S. schools is the modern equivalent of maintaining that status quo.
Advocating for educational equity challenges this imbalance; implementing it can help redress the injustice.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO
While some aspects of equity in education must be addressed on a broader systemic scale, there are many things that can be done at the individual school and classroom level to create a more equitable environment for students.
Personalized learning. It is important some students to have extra time to complete an assignment or other accommodations designed
to meet their educational needs. Moreover some students should
have resource teachers or aides that provide additional support in the classroom
or in a pullout environment. It is also essential that some students will have resources provided at a different reading level or in a different language.
Additional resources to students with greater needs. Additional resources to students with greater needs. It is vital that there is a fair and objective way to determine student academic
needs, monitor academic progress, and implement support systems that serve all students.
Empowering all students to succeed. Ultimately, building a more equitable educational environment is about student empowerment: making sure all students have what they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. This includes students in Special Education, English Language Learners (ELLs), Gifted and Talented, and other students with diverse educational needs.
SOURCES.
Unicef
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund
Great Schools Partnership
Thinking Maps