Equity means that everyone gets access to what they need ensuring that everyone receives what they need to be successful , even if that varies across racial or socioeconomic lines. Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) is that we work toward equity by ensuring that marginalized students receive opportunities for high-level thinking and grow into deep thinkers. Differentiation is a pathway toward equity because it tasks teachers with truly understanding the needs, the evolving needs, of their students and providing modalities for learning and challenges that fit those needs. Making sure that low-income students and students of color have access to exceptional teachers and that their schools have the funding to provide them with the kind of high-quality education they need to succeed. Ensuring that students who need more to achieve success receive those resources and opportunities illustrates equity in action.

Social justice is to help students develop the critical thinking, collaboration, and self-reflection skills necessary to foster a better society, by using critical examination of themselves, others, institutions and events to find patterns of inequality, bigotry or discrimination, then explore the possible solutions to the problems identified. In hope of building a society in which individuals have equal access to resources and receive equitable treatment regardless of their race, gender, religion, sexuality, income level or disability. A teacher must build a safe, encouraging environment where students’ affective filter is low so they can speak about their experiences and beliefs. This creation of a community of conscience ensures that students’ voices, opinions and ideas are valued and respected by all parties. The teacher needs to facilitate productive conversations to share ideas and respond to the ideas of others in a way that allows for disagreement but still value the students’ perspective. They should draw upon the diverse backgrounds of their students. The information revealed will include multiple perspectives and better resonate with students’ prior knowledge. These conversations should be about real-world issues that affect students’ everyday lives. Teachers can help them act upon the issues they see but using activist strategies such as social media campaigns, demonstrations and teach-ins to raise awareness of an issue and build support for positive change. 

Equity does not mean equality.  This means that everyone is getting what they need to succeed.  Using strategies that are culturally and linguistically responsive can help provide the equity needed. By validating, affirming, building and bridging gaps we can connect with students and understand their needs to make meaningful learning experiences. 

Social Justice is a concept that all people should have equal access to all opportunities.

Urban Education - Urban education refers to learning and teaching that takes place in urban areas. The schooling usually takes place in large and densely populated areas with diverse populations.

Equity - In education, the term equity refers to the principle of fairness. Lack of equity refers to unfair policies, programs, practices, or situations that impact performance and learning outcomes. 

Social Justice – In education, social justice refers to equal treatment of social, cultural, and economic factors on individuals. These factors come from fair distribution of power, resources, and privileges.

 

Equity refers to achieving parity in student educational outcomes, regardless of race and ethnicity. It moves beyond issues of access and places success outcomes for student’s diverse backgrounds and low socioeconomic status.

Urban schools should focus on equity improving efforts specifically on race and ethnicity of some racial and ethnic groups within their community and area.

 

Teachers must critically assess and change their practices to advance student equity. For this to happen, there must be a shared understanding that underperforming students have been underserved with inadequate resources that limited their success. To increase student success among these populations, it is necessary to provide more resources and support to students who have not received it.

 

Social justice for all begins with a quality, free public education. Urban schools are places where students come to be educated, regardless of family circumstances, socioeconomic status, origin, how they look, or the language they speak. The final goal is to help them reach their full potential. These students are the future and the people who will contribute to have a better society.

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Equity -  A picture is worth a 1000 words (.  All students need different supports to be successful.

Social Justice is about ensuring equity for all.  Protecting the dignity of all and providing everyone with the opportunity to be their best person without stepping on the rights of others. 

Equity is ensuring people get what they need, and social justice is ensuring people are treated equitably throughout our society.