Equity and Inclusion 

Equity: All having the opportunity to fully participate
Equity encompasses the policies and practices used to ensure the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time trying to identify and eliminate barriers that have historically prevented the full participation of some individuals or groups (according to IDEA).

Equality: All having access to the same opportunities. 

Equality in education is centered on providing every student with the same resources and opportunities, aiming to treat everyone identically regardless of their unique circumstances. While this approach might seem fair on the surface, it often doesn't meet everyone's needs effectively. For example, if one child is very hungry and another is very thirsty, giving both a water bottle only addresses one child's need. This scenario illustrates that equality, though well-intentioned, can sometimes miss the mark in fairness.

It's important to understand that while educational equality ensures that all students are treated the same and have access to similar resources, it does not automatically lead to equity, where each student receives what they need to succeed. To truly address educational disparities, we need a dual approach that provides both equal access to opportunities and equitable services tailored to meet the diverse needs of all students.

• • Example: Equity is not equality.  In schools, the concepts of equity and equality take on profound importance but mean different things. While equality would mean giving every student the same textbooks and support similar to everyone getting an identical slice of pie, equity recognizes that students come with varied needs and starting points. Some might need a little extra help to achieve their potential, just like some people might need a bigger slice of pie because they're hungrier.

Imagine a classroom where every student receives the same set of books. That's equality. Equity, on the other hand, would look a bit different. It might mean offering extra reading help to those who struggle, providing advanced materials for those who are ready to soar, or ensuring the classroom is accessible to everyone, no matter their physical abilities.

Consider a public library as another example. While everyone is free to visit and borrow books, equity would ensure that the library meets diverse community needs perhaps by offering home delivery services for those who cannot physically visit, providing books in multiple languages for non-English speakers, or hosting special reading programs for children with learning disabilities. By adapting its services to meet various community needs, the library creates an inclusive, accessible, and enriching environment for all