What is Educational Equity?
Educational equity means the educational system gives each student what he/she/them 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.
1. Fairness - It means making sure that personal and social circumstances are not obstacles to achieving educational potential. It prohibits discrimination based on gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, faith, or socioeconomic status.
2. 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.
According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), equity in education has two dimensions that are closely intertwined.
1. Fairness - It means making sure that personal and social circumstances are not obstacles to achieving educational potential. It prohibits discrimination based on gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, faith, or socioeconomic status.
2. 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.
Difference Between Equality and Equity
All students deserve to have every opportunity to reach their full potential and succeed personally and academically, with access to rich learning experiences that provide a strong foundation of confidence that continues throughout their lives. Schools should be safe and welcoming places where all students have the tools they need to achieve success and follow their chosen pathways to life after graduation including work, college, apprenticeship or university.
- Ontario Education Equity Action Final Report
- Ontario Education Equity Action Final Report
EQUITY is defined as a, "condition or state of fair, inclusive and respectful treatment of all people. Equity does not mean treating people the same without regard for individual differences"
and,
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION is education that is based on the principles of acceptance and inclusion of all students.
and,
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION is education that is based on the principles of acceptance and inclusion of all students.
Guiding Principles for Equity and Inclusive Education (Ontario Ministry of Education)
Barriers to Equitable Education
“every student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of ancestry, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender identity,
language, physical and intellectual ability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socio-economic status or other factors”
(Achieving Excellence, Ministry of Education, p. 8).
language, physical and intellectual ability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socio-economic status or other factors”
(Achieving Excellence, Ministry of Education, p. 8).
When differences in opportunities exist, barriers to equitable education are created.
Definitions - Ontario Human Rights Commission
Disabilities - covers a broad range and degree of conditions, some visible and some not visible. A disability may have been present from birth, caused by an accident, or developed over time.
There are physical, mental and learning disabilities, mental disorders, hearing or vision disabilities, epilepsy, mental health disabilities and addictions, environmental sensitivities, and other conditions.
Gender - birth sex male or female
Gender Identity - transgender, transsexual and intersex persons, cross-dressers, and other people whose gender identity or expression is, or is seen to be, different from their birth sex.
Racism - is a belief that one group is superior to others
Religion - includes the practices, beliefs and observances that are part of a faith or religion.
Sex - The Code does not specifically define the ground of “sex,” but the OHRC considers it to be related to a person’s biological sex, male or female. Men and women receive equal protection under this ground. The ground of “sex” also includes a broader notion of “gender,” which can be described as the social characteristics attributed to each sex.
Sexual Orientation - is a personal characteristic that forms part of who you are. It covers the range of human sexuality from lesbian and gay, to bisexual and heterosexual.
There are physical, mental and learning disabilities, mental disorders, hearing or vision disabilities, epilepsy, mental health disabilities and addictions, environmental sensitivities, and other conditions.
Gender - birth sex male or female
Gender Identity - transgender, transsexual and intersex persons, cross-dressers, and other people whose gender identity or expression is, or is seen to be, different from their birth sex.
Racism - is a belief that one group is superior to others
Religion - includes the practices, beliefs and observances that are part of a faith or religion.
Sex - The Code does not specifically define the ground of “sex,” but the OHRC considers it to be related to a person’s biological sex, male or female. Men and women receive equal protection under this ground. The ground of “sex” also includes a broader notion of “gender,” which can be described as the social characteristics attributed to each sex.
Sexual Orientation - is a personal characteristic that forms part of who you are. It covers the range of human sexuality from lesbian and gay, to bisexual and heterosexual.
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