Equity Vs Equality

What is the difference between treating students “fairly” and treating them “equally”? What are some examples of how that looks in the classroom?

The following is an example of what equity looks like in a continuation high school in Hollister, CA. As the understanding of the difference between equity and equality is so important for all educators to understand, we hope you find the following illustration helpful. 

There are important differences between equal and fair. Many times, it depends on the classroom environment and the locale. I am using these definitions as guidelines for my responses: Equal is having the ability and or resources to meet a challenge. Fair denotes something being free of favoritism and free of judgment. (Oxford Dictionary)

I worked in a small, rural agricultural community. Ninety-seven percent of my students were Mexican-American or Mexican. We were a Continuation High School. Our main comprehensive High School has a population of approximately 3000 students. The sheer number of student population was a problem for many. At our site we have ranged between 130-200 students. The majority of our students come to us because they had not been successful in our local high school environment. There can be a plethora of reasons that they become our students.

When I chose to work in this alternative school, I was motivated by the fact that all students can be successful, given the opportunity. Our students are being treated equally when they have the same curriculum, books, calculators, supplies and access to technology that is offered at the Comprehensive High School. By having the same curriculum students can return to this school. A percentage of our students come to us with goals to return there to graduate. Many times, the students are introduced to new ideas and opportunities by attending our programs. Many students are given more individualized assistance in mathematics as well.

Lunch time at other schools was a main stressor for many of our students. Many went without a meal during the school day because they could not afford lunch and were not given anything when they were hungry. Though this was equal treatment, this was not fair. We are now offering free lunch to all. There is no division amongst students at lunch time. This is fair and equal treatment.

Our students are being treated fairly when they are given the accommodations that they need to be successful. Many of them are behind in Mathematics and/or English credits. These students are given additional means and supports to become proficient in those subjects. We try to meet the students where they are academically. Not where the text or society says they should be. One method is through the use of online classes with a tutor for additional help. Another method is our Independent Study program, which gives many students the opportunity to work or to care for a child. Our Restorative Justice program gives many students an opportunity to revise and adjust their “life outlook” as well. These options are not equal treatment. Every student is not offered the same supports. Rather, they are offered the supports that they need. This is fair.

Our goals of access and equity are shown daily. We want to send the message that growth and learning are an important part of the students’ lives. It is fair to grade according to how long a student is with us and their overall productivity. As a mathematics teacher , I did not want my students disadvantaged by culture, curriculum or class. If you are with us less than the quarter and have a transcript, we can average the grade. If not, then we use the amount of days that quarter, how many days you attended and class productivity to determine a grade. This is due to the fact that we receive students throughout the school terms. 

We have planning guides but strive to accommodate the students that come to us. If a student has not attended school for a year, it does not matter what I planned. I have to accommodate and educate to the best of his/her ability. It is fair to give them a chance to recoup their credits and learn grade level material. It would be equal treatment to cover the same sections at the same pace but this is not necessarily fair since students need time to develop understanding.

Treating students fairly (equitably) is to provide all the help and assistance they need to be successful. Treating our students equally is to make sure all students have access to the same quantity and quality of needed materials to promote a successful educational experience. There can be a very thin line between equal and fair in education; yet the distinctions matter.