What does equity in education entail?

Equity in education fundamentally involves recognizing that each student has unique needs and circumstances that may require different levels of support and resources to achieve success. The idea is not just to treat all students the same, but rather to ensure that every student has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive academically and socially.

Offering necessary resources and support for all students means that educators and policymakers customize their approaches based on the diverse backgrounds, learning styles, and personal challenges that students face. This might include additional tutoring for struggling students, providing advanced courses for gifted students, or creating programs to assist students with disabilities. It emphasizes an understanding that equality in education—simply distributing the same resources—does not address the varied barriers to learning that different students experience.

By focusing on ensuring that every student has what they specifically need, equity in education aims not only to improve individual outcomes but also to close achievement gaps within the education system as a whole.