Excellence Through Equity: Five Essential Ingredients for Creating Conditions that Promote Achievement for All Children

While the movement for standards and accountability has largely succeeded in bringing greater attention to disparities in student achievement, surprisingly little attention has been given to what it takes to create conditions in schools that will make achievement for all students more likely. Missing from much of the policy debate related to achievement is how to place “equity” at the center of education reform efforts, and how to support and cultivate effective teaching in schools. This presentation will describe five principles and practices that have proven effective in helping schools to meet the needs of a wide variety of learners. Strategies that make it possible to avoid zero-sum scenarios—leading some educators to believe that they must choose between the pursuit of excellence and equity—will also be presented. Drawing upon research and several case studies, the presentation will show why an equity framework is essential for promoting achievement among all children