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<\/a>\u201cEquity\u201d is a word that seems to be tossed around a lot in higher education these days.\u00a0 But what does it mean?\u00a0 And how can we promote equity in the classroom or in our student services interactions?\u00a0 MSU Denver prides itself on being very diverse\u2014doesn\u2019t that mean we already practice equity?\u00a0 It is safe to assume that people on campus want to do the right thing, but sometimes the \u201chow\u201d of equity work eludes us all.<\/p>\nTake a SIP of This: Equity<\/h2>\n
When approaching equity in our practice on campus, it is fundamental to remember two things.\u00a0 First of all, equity has multiple manifestations in higher ed, and each will have a different implication on your practice.\u00a0 Equity is identified in five general areas:\u00a0 access, transfer, retention, completion, and outcomes.\u00a0 If you are a professor, for example, access equity may mean that you provide differentiated means and ways for students from all races and ethnicities to learn the content in your class.\u00a0 From an institutional standpoint, outcomes equity means that students of color will graduate at the same percentage rate as their white peers.\u00a0 Whatever your role on campus, think about how the five areas of equity come into play in your daily practice and interaction with students.<\/p>\n
Second of all, it is important to remember that diversity does not mean equity, and that \u201cequality\u201d is not the goal.\u00a0 To engage in equitable practice, we must all meet students where they are and identify the support that they need to get where we want them to be.\u00a0 This does not imply \u201clowering the bar\u201d\u2014instead, it means putting practical and institutional procedures and policies in place that will let all students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve the desired outcomes of the class or of the university.<\/p>\n
But how do we do this?\u00a0 Each one of us must identify the steps we can take in our own practice to promote equity in our area.\u00a0 Use these five guidelines for equitable practice to help decide what\u2019s best for you:<\/p>\n
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- Clarity in language, goals and measures is the cornerstone for equitable practice.<\/li>\n
- \u201dEquity-mindedness\u201d should be the guiding paradigm for language and action.<\/li>\n
- Equitable practices and policies are designed to accommodate differences in the context of students\u2019 learning\u2014not to treat all students the same.<\/li>\n
- Enacting Equity requires a continual process of learning, disaggregating data, and questioning assumptions about relevance and effectiveness.<\/li>\n
- Equity must be enacted as a pervasive institution- and system-wide principle.*<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
*From:\u00a0 America\u2019s Unmet Promise:\u00a0 The Imperative for Equity in Higher Education<\/p>\n
Still Thirsty? Take Another SIP of Equity<\/h2>\n
For more information on equity on campus, check out the Equity in Excellence website: http:\/\/www.msudenver.edu\/equityinexcellence<\/a>.\u00a0 If you would like specific tips or ideas to promote equity in your practice, please contact one of the committee members directly (members are listed on the website) and they will be happy to brainstorm with you!\u00a0 And professors, don\u2019t forget that Universal Design for Learning can be a helpful tool for differentiating instruction in the classroom to better support equity!<\/p>\n
For other resources on equity in the classroom and in higher ed practice, check out these links:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Witham, K., Malcolm-Piqueux, L. E., Dowd, A. C., Bensimon, E. M.\u00a0 (2015).\u00a0 America\u2019s Unmet Promise:\u00a0 The Imperative for Equity in Higher Education.\u00a0 Washington D.C.:\u00a0 Association of American Colleges and Universities.\u00a0 https:\/\/www.aacu.org\/publications-research\/publications\/americas-unmet-promise-imperative-equity-higher-education<\/a><\/li>\n
- Geared toward STEM, but excellent suggestions for all:\u00a0 \u201cStructure Matters:\u00a0 Twenty-One Teaching Strategies to Promote Student Engagement and Cultivate Classroom Equity.\u201d\u00a0 http:\/\/www.lifescied.org\/content\/12\/3\/322.full<\/a><\/li>\n
- An article from today\u2019s Chronicle of Higher Ed\u2014search the Chronicle for other articles on equity in practice, there have been so many lately:\u00a0 \u201c\u2019A Little More Every Day\u2019:\u00a0 How You Can Eliminate Bias in Your Classroom\u201d by Kathleen Tarr.\u00a0 http:\/\/chronicle.com\/article\/A-Little-More-Every-Day-\/233303\/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en<\/a><\/li>\n
- National Association of Secondary School Principals.\u00a0 For K-12 but very good.\u00a0 Equity in the Classroom.\u00a0 https:\/\/www.nassp.org\/portals\/0\/content\/48814.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Thirsty for Strong Instructional Practice? \u201cEquity\u201d is a word that seems to be tossed around a lot in higher education these days.\u00a0 But what does it mean?\u00a0 And how can we promote equity in the classroom or in our student services interactions?\u00a0 MSU Denver prides itself on being very diverse\u2014doesn\u2019t that mean we already practice … <\/p>\n
- Geared toward STEM, but excellent suggestions for all:\u00a0 \u201cStructure Matters:\u00a0 Twenty-One Teaching Strategies to Promote Student Engagement and Cultivate Classroom Equity.\u201d\u00a0 http:\/\/www.lifescied.org\/content\/12\/3\/322.full<\/a><\/li>\n
- Witham, K., Malcolm-Piqueux, L. E., Dowd, A. C., Bensimon, E. M.\u00a0 (2015).\u00a0 America\u2019s Unmet Promise:\u00a0 The Imperative for Equity in Higher Education.\u00a0 Washington D.C.:\u00a0 Association of American Colleges and Universities.\u00a0 https:\/\/www.aacu.org\/publications-research\/publications\/americas-unmet-promise-imperative-equity-higher-education<\/a><\/li>\n