It’s important to understand that equity is different from equality, in that equality means that all students get the same thing. But when schools strive to provide equity, it means that every child gets what they need. Or, as 2015 National Teacher of the Year Shanna Peeples once said, “Equality is everyone gets shoes. Equity is all the shoes fit.”
Creating lasting equity in health and education takes mobilization of multiple partners to change systems that serve kids and families. Our Community Schools Initiative tackles barriers students and families face to their health, well-being and success. Using the research based national Community Schools model, we transform schools and communities to ensure every child has an equitable opportunity to succeed in school and life. Using a whole child mindset, we mobilize partners and schools to transform systems of care for children. We know from research that health and education are intimately related. Ensuring students graduate from high school and are on track for post-secondary success is an important step in ensuring a lifetime of success, health and well-being.
TOGETHER! is currently partnering with the Tumwater & Olympia School Districts to implement this model in elementary, middle, and high schools.