Why Understanding the Difference Between Equity and Equality Matters

The differences between equality and equity in education are significant, and they matter on many levels. Equal treatment is insufficient. This discussion points out the common confusion between equality and equity among teachers and the importance of providing the necessary resources for each student to succeed. The group advocates high standards in curriculum, critical peer evaluation among teachers, and the provision of tools and resources to genuinely achieve equity over mere equality.

Follow on Twitter: @mriceboothe @jehan_hakim @j_b_cardenas @DrNelms @larryferlazzo @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork

Dr. Shaun Nelms is an author and prominent figure in the field of education and school transformation. He is the Vice President for Community Partnerships at the University of Rochester. One of his notable achievements was creating and implementing a school transformation model for the lowest-performing school in the lowest-performing district in New York State. Shaun C. Nelms, EdD Vice President of Community Partnerships Director, William and Sheila Konar Center for Urban Education Success.

Mary Rice-Boothe, Ed.D., joined The Leadership Academy in 2015 with more than 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, principal, principal coach, and curriculum designer and currently serves as Executive Director, Curriculum Development and Equity. She is the author of Leading Within Systems of Inequity in Education: A Liberation Guide for Leaders of Color and can be found on Twitter @mriceboothe or by reading her newsletter.

Jehan Hakim a second generation Arab-American Muslim woman, and mother of four. She is a Bay Area native that was born and raised in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco, California – and graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Though she’s been a community organizer and educator for decades. The depths  of her experience span from program management & coordination within school districts, to interfaith coalition building, community outreach, foreign affairs, and diversity.

Jennifer Cárdenas M. Ed. is a WIDA fellow and a multilingual learner program specialist in Columbia, SC. She is pursuing her Ed. D. in curriculum studies, focusing on equity for language learners.