Erin English

Director of Inclusion

Central Unified School District

How do you define educational equity?

Educational equity means ensuring every student has access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. It’s about recognizing that not all students start from the same place and intentionally working to remove barriers to their success. We must improve students’ education opportunities, experiences, and outcomes by engaging in meaningful discussions to challenge and address ongoing educational inequities. That belief aligns with Central Unified School District’s belief: We believe in equity and access. As Arthur Chan powerfully states, "Diversity is a fact, equity is a choice, inclusion is an action, and belonging is an outcome." In education, diversity exists simply by the nature of who our students are. However, equity requires intentional decisions—meeting each student’s needs fairly and purposefully. Inclusion means creating classroom environments where every student is actively welcomed and supported. When equity and inclusion are embraced, the result is belonging—a learning space where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.