How to have a conversation about school equity and excellence

Posted by on January 8, 2007

[posted from Public Educaction Network newsblast]

HOW TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT EQUITY & EXCELLENCE

In terms of excellence, we know what it looks like. We can all point to examples. However, excellence in education is extended to only a privileged few. But if you want to have excellence at scale, you must include the notion of equity. You cannot have excellence at scale without equity at scale. This is where the conversation becomes difficult. People have a difficult time talking about equity because the notion of equity flies in the face of our capitalistic society. Our society socializes people to get everything they can get for themselves. It’s not about being your brother’s keeper or creating wealth or success or happiness for society. It’s about creating it for you, individually, and your family. We are not socialized to think about creating equity for all. Another reason that discussing equity is difficult is because it’s an issue of power: power and resources and money. For people to discuss or deeply examine the issue of equity, they have to suspend their own belief in individual gain over collective gain and the power that’s associated with it. So those who are in power and make decisions that impact others believe they have to give something up in order for equity to be achieved. For those who have been privileged, those who have power, those who have influence, the whole notion of equity creates the feeling within them that something is being taken away ? not that something is being added to help others. It’s literally being taken away from them. That’s one of the reasons it’s so difficult to have this conversation. Equity and excellence are also difficult challenges because they require people to face some uncomfortable truths and to involve others who might not always agree on solutions. Getting to equity requires people to talk in new ways. People must face up to inequity, something that is not easy to do. And we must listen to those who have been treated inequitably and who have ideas about how to turn things around. Frank dialogue and broad inclusion are rare in education. This issue of Voices in Urban Education examines some new ways to talk about equity and excellence and considers some of the steps involved in realizing our stated goal of attaining those elusive aspirations.

http://www.annenberginstitute.org/VUE/spring06/Pruitt.html