ETHICS, EQUALITY, AND EQUITY IN EDUCATION
In this week’s Learning Resources, you are introduced to two concepts that seem simple enough to understand, however they have proven to be one of the greatest challenges in education today. As Karl Wolfe (2020) notes in his Education Essay document, in this week’s Learning Resources, “that all people are born equal; yet, in truth this equality remains an ideal rather than a reality” (p. 2).
In this Discussion, you will compare the concepts of equality and equity, and the role of public administrators in promoting equity when also considering the ethical standards they must follow.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
To prepare:
Review this week’s Learning Resources and media programs, paying special attention to the Education Essaydocument. Think about the differences between equity and equality and their impact upon educational opportunities for all.
BY DAY 3
Select one of the following issues and compose and post a briefing paper that includes an outline of your response to one of these issues (approximately 300–400 words). Use the “Core Components” and “Checklist” sections of Herman’s “White Papers and Briefing Books: A Communications Program Workshop” as a general guide. You do not need to include an Executive Summary or Appendices for this part of your Discussion.
Evaluate a decision to divert state educational funds from a prosperous school district to improve the resources of an impoverished school district in a minority area. Consider this question: Is diversion of funds from prosperous districts to those impoverished justified in the name of achieving social justice? Cite your source(s).
Based upon the educational/public service philosophy and direct experience of Gardner, Kozol, and Robinson, write a briefing paper that includes a plan to promote educational equity in your local K–12 school district or child and family services agency, either governmental or nonprofit. In addition to ensuring that every child has access to the curriculum and essential school supplies, consider needs of the “whole child,” including social, physical, and mental health.
Aguilera and Nightengale-Lee (2020) emphasized that “The responses of educational institutions to COVID-19 have been almost as jarring as the societal shifts influenced by the pandemic itself” (p. 472). It is no secret that the unanticipated, yet unavoidable, requirement of schools to shift suddenly from face-to-face to virtual/remote learning produced great confusion, delays in learning, and lost educational opportunities. On the other hand, many instructors became quite good at making connections with—and delivering content to—students. Write a briefing paper outlining a school district’s remote education plan. Be sure to address concerns of school administrators and K–12 teachers who are working with students from communities that, historically, have been marginalized.
Assess Maxwell and Garcia’s (2019) rationale for supporting affirmative action in college admissions. Consider this question: Is affirmative action policy ethically defensible in higher education admissions to correct historic discrimination policies? Write a briefing paper that either defends or opposes affirmative action in the college admissions policy of a college in your state.
Support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.