What Goes Into Creating a Positive + Empowering Educational Experience For Every Student
Educational equity is a bit complex overall, but the main drive behind it is to create an educational system that caters to all students to develop their educational experience accordingly. Factors among a student’s identity that are considered include language, race, economic profile, gender, learning capabilities, disabilities, and family history. It’s important to note that there are some differences when it comes to the term “equity” versus “equality.” Equality will make sure that students are offered the same experiences, while equity involves support and resources that make the educational system more of a level playing field overall.
Some of the main focuses within equity in education:
- Creating an opportunity for underprivileged and underserved students so they are able to overcome disadvantages and find success
- Giving each student the chance to learn in the way that best supports their learning style
- Helping students become more engaged in what they’re learning by ensuring they see people who are their same race, gender, ethnicity, etc. in their learning
- Granting students more access to the resources that can bolster their education
- Strengthening the connection between a student’s family and their teacher, fostering a more enriching educational environment at home
- Guiding students to success in their educational career, and beyond
- Closing the opportunity and achievement gap by making students equal
- Improving a school district’s performance in metrics such as standardized testing
- Impacting the community in positive ways, such as reducing crime rates and increasing property value
- Creating an overall economic benefit by preparing students to become contributors to society, and saving money on public assistance
Ways Teachers Can Promote Equity in the Classroom
There are a variety of different ways a teacher can work to help students receive as much equity in the classroom as possible. Take a look at some important aspects!
Address systemic issues
Teachers should work to become more aware of issues that affect certain groups that can include poverty, ethnicity, gender, etc. Teachers can create plans for students that work around some of these effects on a child’s education. Even though a teacher may not be able to solve some of these issues, it is beneficial for the teacher to understand how these things can impact students’ overall learning capabilities. Teachers who understand how some of these systems are able to operate and impact their students are able to create better opportunities for them inside the classroom.
Leadership and Administration
Unlike the teacher in the classroom in some circumstances, school leadership and administration could also be a part of the systemic issues or be unaware of how those issues can affect students. Teachers should put in the effort to let certain members of leadership know about some of these issues and work to have everyone on the same page. Besides the classroom, an increase in equity can make its way into the community as well.
Working to remove barriers within the school environment
Learning and development challenges will typically show themselves early in a student’s education. If teachers are able to identify some of these challenges early on, the students will have more of an opportunity to excel throughout school. Some of the ways to work through these challenges can include educating parents on the support systems that their students can take advantage of or helping them to navigate ways of finding/accessing those resources. Teachers can provide inexpensive learning resources, tutors, after-school programs, and many other opportunities that help lower unfair distinctions in the classroom setting. If finances seem to be the bulk of the issue, teachers can also help parents find ways to afford the resources that can benefit their child.
Role of technology
Technology is typically a very important aspect of a student’s educational program. Unfortunately, many don’t have access to reliable internet or a computer that can support the studies needed to get done while at home. Teachers can help to ensure students have the ability to access technology, utilizing it in classroom settings where all students can benefit. It might also be helpful to teach parents how to work with technology at home.
Paying attention to student performance
An important part of the process in achieving equity is to monitor student performance. It can help show where a teacher’s equitable approach is effective and where there may need some work. Teachers should work regularly, see how their students are performing, and address any issue they can to help increase the equity so their students can all thrive.
With all things considered, teachers should keep these 4 tips in mind to work towards equity:
- Create an environment in the classroom where every student feels heard, and willing to speak out against unfairness. Teachers want their students to let you know if they’re facing any hardships at home or even in class.
- Parent engagement is undeniably a very helpful way to resolve challenges involving equity. Open communication should be kept with parents; they should be encouraged to volunteer or attend school events to involve them with their child’s education.
- Advocate for equity training in schools for faculty members so teachers know how to resolve common challenges.
- Add diversity and inclusion activities or even lessons against prejudice to your school curriculum. This will make the students in the classroom feel like they deserve to be there!
What to Take Away
It’s safe to say that educational equity is both a complex yet critical issue. With the help of teachers devoted to promoting equity in the classroom, each student will be destined for their own personal greatness!
