What is Equity?

Equity is a moral responsibility that requires providing access and support to all traditionally underserved individuals, enabling them to assert their unlimited potential. This involves eliminating ideological, institutionalized, interpersonal, and internalized forms of oppression. Equity is a mindset and approach to being, thinking, and providing access—it cannot be achieved through a single program or workshop. Instead, equity requires ongoing efforts to actively promote liberation and ensure every student thrives both within and beyond a racialized traditional system.

Most people have the wrong idea regarding true authentic equity. Equity is often thought of as a noun hen it should be considered a verb. In the purest sense of the word equity is ACTION. It is a way of being, thinking, and providing. It cannot be achieved by a program or a single workshop. Equity is a way of functioning and moving within a system. When we narrow the scope of education, equity is the act of thinking, feeling, and providing access for traditionally marginalized students. As I think about what African American students need to be successful in our district, I base my actions on answering these questions. 

Who is not in the room/space/program? 
Why? And what barriers prevented them from being in the room or being engaged?
How do I communicate that their presence is valued and appreciated? 
What supports are needed to maximize their true potential?
 
These guidepost questions shape my actions inside our bigger system and inside of classrooms. Another big idea around equity is that it cannot be fixed by ignoring it, refusing to talk about the historical context of it, or simply “Not seeing color”. 

In Rialto Unified School District (RUSD), we have begun a journey to repair some of the harm in our educational system by creating this plan, inserting specific goals within our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), generating new positions, offering specialized programs and more importantly, establishing an Equity Team. Also to further our endeavors, we have adopted Culturally Responsive and Relevant learning in our Strategic Plan. 

African American students make up 8% of the Rialto Unified School District’s student body. Black students are also one of the highest groups suspended and least represented in specialized programs like Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), Career and Technical Education (CTE), Advanced Placement (AP), and Honors courses. While most schools have made progress on their state tests, the numbers don’t transfer as they relate to African American students.

We have work to do! Equity is a collective mindset and is Each of our responsibilities. In the spirit of Ubuntu, (I am because we are), we cannot afford to ask the question, “Why them,” or “Why the Black students?” 

I look forward to a day when our students and families can be truly liberated as a result of their interaction/engagement with our school district. I also look forward to working with all of you as we learn and act together to ensure the best conditions for EACH student in Rialto USD.

      In Service,
      Dr. Ayanna Balogun
      Agent: Equity, Access, and Excellence