What is the difference between educational equity and equality?
Educational equity and equality are both concepts related to educational opportunities and outcomes in North Carolina, but they differ in important ways. Educational equality is the idea that all students should have the same access to education and receive the same educational outcomes regardless of their race, gender, or any other personal characteristic. In contrast, educational equity is the idea that everyone should have an equal opportunity to learn and achieve, but the needs, interests, and abilities of each student should be taken into account through specific support systems, resources, and other targeted interventions. For example, an ideal system of educational equality might provide every student with the same textbooks, teachers, and classes, but those resources may not be the best fit for every student. Educational equity, on the other hand, would strive to provide students with the best possible resources and interventions to meet their individual needs, such as language classes for second language learners, additional tutoring for struggling students, and honors or advanced placement classes for high achievers. In North Carolina, educational equity is protected through various laws and regulations, such as the General Statute 115C-105. In addition, public schools are required to abide by the state constitution and ensure that all students receive the same basic educational rights and privileges regardless of race, gender, or other characteristics.
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