Turning the Page on the Equity Debate in Education: How to Give All Children a Real Opportunity

Overview & Synopsis

People have entered an era of education reform with an extensive focus on how well students are being prepared to succeed in postsecondary education and careers in a rapidly changing global economy, as well as to become thriving, contributing members in the democracy. Although these aims have recast national conversation in some important ways, they have not altered fundamentally two of education's timeless questions: (1) What should our education policymakers do to ensure that students of all backgrounds have the same opportunity to succeed?; and (2) What can we do to ensure that our commitment to "education equity" is more than rhetorical flourish? In this article, the authors address these issues with a specific focus on K-12 education, particularly by examining the question of resources--always central to discussions of equity. They do so, however, by urging that the "equity agenda" be understood in light of its potential alignment with the emerging education reform agenda, which is grounded in important principles of shared accountability. They argue that there is a need to move from abstract notions of equity devoid of practical application to a world where high expectations and accountability are clear and resource obligations are being met in light of those goals, particularly for students who are currently underserved by public schools. To achieve those ends, the authors believe that states and districts must marry the attention and transparency on student learning outcomes that have characterized much of the national conversation with corresponding attention and transparency on education investments. (Contains 1 footnote and 3 endnotes.)