 nsuring Educational Excellence
Equity: An Achievable Approach to Education
Some teachers, administrators, and parents may question the need for teaching the principles of equity on the grounds that there are no minorities in their class or school or that it threatens traditional male and female roles. This view is shortsighted because teaching equity principles and implementing equitable teaching practices benefit every student, not just those who have suffered from or practiced overt and subtle bias. Teachers need equity skills no matter where they teach to help ensure that students learn the skills necessary to meet the challenges of a changing multiethnic nation.
An equity approach to education requires changing the structure of the schools and the attitudes of teachers. As members of America's culturally pluralistic society, students and educators must develop healthy and tolerant attitudes and interpersonal skills to communicate and collaborate across cultures and to function successfully in many situations. Several fundamental attitudes are essential to the attainment of educational equity:
 Equity is not an add-on, time consuming topic, but a basic educational approach
- Equity is an achievable goal
- Equity is an attitude and commitment
- Support services are necessary to ensure equal access by all students
- Equity-focused resources are abundant and readily accessible
Equity and multiculturalism are for all students and teachers because in unbiased classrooms students hear the voices of different cultural groups. In this way, they come to understand the nation and world from multiple ethnic and cultural perspectives, instead of merely accepting the point of view of the mainstream culture.
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