What We Mean by Educational Equity
At the Center on Education and Lifelong Learning (CELL), we use the term educational equity to describe the consistent application of practices, expectations, and supports that allow every student to engage in rigorous learning. This includes providing appropriate instructional, behavioral, and environmental supports so that outcomes are not predicted by factors such as race, income, language background, or gender.
This concept—grounded in decades of research—recognizes that students may require different types and levels of support to meet high academic and behavioral expectations.
Why Educational Equity Matters
When students have access to effective instruction, fair decision-making, and supportive learning environments, they are better able to achieve successful academic and postsecondary outcomes. Research also shows that when districts examine their policies and procedures, pay attention to patterns in data, and strengthen systems that guide referral and placement decisions, they are better positioned to reduce gaps in identification, discipline, graduation, and other indicators monitored under federal and state law.
CELL’s focus is to help schools and districts understand the factors that contribute to these patterns and support the development of practices that promote accurate identification, appropriate placement, and strong student outcomes.
