Though the terms may seem similar, the implementation of equality vs equity can lead to greatly different outcomes for students, especially those from diverse communities.
But what is the difference between equality and equity? Many conflate them with fairness, but “fair” can mean different things to different people. Equality ensures standardized rules and resources; everyone receives the same tools to help them succeed. However, equality can only be perceived as fair if everyone begins at the same place or needs the same tools and resources to thrive (Zakrajsek, 2021).
Equity, on the other hand, addresses the diverse needs of students, whether cultural, financial, physical, or mental. Unlike equality, equity accounts for individual circumstances, providing tailored support based on individual needs to help students achieve their goals.
This blog will answer the question: what is equity vs equality? We’ll explore how balancing the two in academic integrity and assessment ensures fair practices for all students. We also will highlight tools and strategies institutions can use to support their diverse communities while maintaining rigorous standards.
What role does equality play in maintaining fair integrity and assessment?
Concerns about academic integrity have grown since the COVID-19 pandemic, when many institutions pivoted to online learning (Rowland Williams, 2021). We have built a world where students have access to digital courses and material, study websites are free and accessible, and exam answers may be a Google click away. Integrating equality into assessment practices is vital to ensuring consistency across integrity measures, such as uniform academic procedures and access to the same resources (e.g., plagiarism detection tools and assessment policies).
While equal treatment through rubrics, standardized exams, and consistent policies creates a level playing field, it may overlook individual challenges (Khasawneh, 2023).
In the UK, research has highlighted that education still acts as an equalizer for social classes. Recent studies, particularly in England, have revealed a persistent and widening educational attainment gap between students from disadvantaged backgrounds and their more affluent peers. This gap is evident at various stages of education, from age 5 through to age 16 and beyond. By the age of 16, persistently disadvantaged students lag behind their wealthier counterparts by approximately two years academically (The Guardian, 2024).
So, what are some equality practices institutions can use to ensure all students are provided the same opportunities and help address this disparity of outcomes?
- Uniform access to resources: All students have the same access to educational materials and resources, including textbooks, technology, and learning tools. This includes equal availability of facilities and extracurricular activities.
- Standardized curriculum and assessments: Each student is taught the same curriculum and assessed using the same criteria and exams, ensuring that all students are evaluated consistently and on a level playing field (Zhao et al., 2023).
- Equal opportunities for participation: All students can participate in class discussions, extracurricular activities, and academic programs, regardless of their background.
- Consistent policies and procedures: Educational institutions apply the same rules and policies to all students, including discipline, grading, and attendance, ensuring uniformity in how students are treated.
- Non-discriminatory practices: There is a commitment to treating all students with fairness and respect, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or any other personal characteristic (Garibay, 2016).
How does equity ensure fairness in integrity and assessment?
At its core, equity in education addresses the equality vs equity debate by creating a learning environment that is both just and impartial. Educators who adopt equitable practices, such as tailored help and accommodations based on individual needs, support the outcomes of students from all backgrounds, abilities, and circumstances (Soika, 2020). These efforts prevent academic misconduct by providing the support students need to succeed without compromising academic standards.
Though promoting equity can be complex, it is crucial to create a classroom where all students can thrive. Here are some examples of equity in action:
Providing accommodations
Students with disabilities may receive extended time on tests or alternative assessments tailored to their learning needs, while students without internet access may receive extended time on assignments to cater to the fact they need to visit their local library to complete work. This allows them to demonstrate their knowledge on an equal footing with peers.
Tailored learning support
Schools offering additional tutoring, mentorship, or academic counseling to students from underprivileged or marginalized backgrounds help bridge knowledge gaps, reduce the risk of academic misconduct, and build a network of support.
Flexible assessments
Offering multiple ways to complete assignments—such as oral presentations, written reports, or digital projects—accommodates different learning styles and abilities so that students can demonstrate their knowledge via a platform where they are set up to succeed.
“Lack of understanding of course material is often cited as a push factor for academic misconduct, such as plagiarism, and misunderstandings can lead to student apathy,” notes Turnitin regional director, Jack Brazel.
Utilizing a variety of assessment formats and incorporating technology to create more manageable and digital-friendly exams are effective accommodations. These methods not only boost student engagement but also promote equity by making assessments more accessible for students with diverse backgrounds and different learning requirements. This in turn can foster academic integrity across the institution.
Fair access to resources
Providing resources based on specific student needs acknowledges that some students face more barriers than others. According to UNESCO data, the digital divide in education became starkly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically: 43% of students globally (706 million) have no internet access at home. 50% of students (826 million) do not have access to a household computer. In sub-Saharan Africa, 89% of learners lack access to household computers, and 82% lack internet access.
A recent concern has been raised surrounding equity in artificial intelligence access, as noted in a report by researchers at the University of Westminster. The growing disparity between students who can afford premium AI services and those who cannot creates an uneven playing field, where academic success may be influenced by financial resources rather than merit.
Universities face the challenge of not only addressing AI misuse but also ensuring equitable access to these tools. As students increasingly demand clear ethical guidelines and better access to premium AI tools, institutions must respond by providing these resources while also fostering AI literacy across the student body.
Cultural inclusivity
As of 2019, 22% of the US population speaks a language other than English at home (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). Similarly, Hindi is spoken by about 44% of the Indian population, but there are 21 other officially recognized languages nationally (Census India, 2011). Many other nations, including Canada, Switzerland, and South Africa, also have diverse linguistic landscapes that impact education.
Designing curricula and assessments free from cultural or linguistic biases ensures that non-native speakers or students from different cultural backgrounds aren’t unfairly disadvantaged.
Reflecting on your own beliefs
Even the most well-intentioned educators can have blind spots where their own biases are concerned. Understanding the circumstances that create your own identity in terms of race, gender, and ability can help you become more conscious of issues related to equity, and further help you foster student success (Soika, 2020).
Research affirms that equitable classrooms lead to greater academic achievement for learners. A 2022 report by the Student Experience Project found that inclusive teaching, proactive decisions by institutions, and equitable methodologies and policies have a positive impact on overall student success.
What are the challenges of balancing equality vs equity in the classroom?
Understanding the difference between equality and equity as well as their distinct importance is one thing, but balancing the two can prove challenging for some educators. Institutions sometimes face hurdles when it comes to developing and adopting new methodologies and policies.
Experts have long been concerned about declining enrollment in higher education. As prospective learners continue to be dissuaded from education beyond a high school diploma, institutions face lingering resource constraints (Blake, 2024).
Striving to instill equity in assessment and integrity invites the risk of perceived unfairness. Resources or flexible assessments offered to one student but not another could be viewed as favoritism or unfairness. College students place high value on fair treatment in the classroom; it is one of the top criteria used by students to assess good teaching (Cobb Rodabaugh, 1994).
Some argue that pursuing strict equality and highly tailored processes may actually lower learning standards and misplace curriculum and assessment priorities (Ingraham, 2022). For example, the 2021 decision by Oregon Governor Kate Brown to temporarily suspend the state’s reading, writing, and math requirement to graduate from high school received mixed reactions. Advocates praised the opportunity to rethink assessment and education standards, while others criticized it as harmful to students in the long run.
Ultimately, striking the right balance between equality vs equity is what will bolster student success. Regardless of the task’s difficulty, educators who are committed to improving their students’ learning environment are capable of finding the appropriate practices for students to demonstrate their mastery of the material. Having the right technology and resources in your toolbox may be key to enacting those assessments and upholding integrity.
What tools support equality vs equity in assessment and integrity?
Various forms of technology and tools are available to promote both equality and equity. The uniform access and customizable features accessible in today’s academic landscape ensure all students have the same opportunities for integrity checks, exam conditions, and submission methods. Investment in the following tools can help institutions maintain fairness while addressing students’ diverse needs.
Comprehensive integrity tools
The advanced features found in similarity detection, AI writing detection, and contract cheating authorship verification tools allow for customizable settings, such as the ability to exclude specific sources or manage multiple databases, which helps accommodate diverse academic needs and varying levels of research support.
- Equality: They provide a uniform standard for detecting academic misconduct, ensuring all students are subject to the same rigorous checks.
- Equity: The tools are designed to accommodate various types of academic work and writing styles, helping to address diverse student needs by identifying potential issues regardless of the student’s background.
Secure digital exam platforms
Offer a secure environment for digital exams, which can help to minimize live exam disruptions and reduce dependency on internet connectivity during testing.
- Equality: Ensures all students experience the same stable and reliable testing environment, regardless of their individual circumstances or access to technology.
- Equity: By providing a controlled, offline examination setting, it addresses barriers for students who may have limited access to reliable internet or technology at home.
Alternative submission options
Technology like OCR scanning enables students to submit physical paper-based work which educators can then digitize for grading. Similarly, mobile-friendly submissions allow students to submit work via an app if they don’t have access to a computer—this includes taking photos of handwritten documents.
- Equality: Provides an accessible way for all students to submit work, ensuring a uniform submission process that doesn’t rely on specific technology.
- Equity: Facilitates submission for students who may not have access to traditional digital submission methods, making it easier for them to participate in assessments and maintain the integrity of their work.
Digital feedback and assessment platforms
Digitizing the grading process gives students access to features including customizable rubrics and personalized feedback on their submissions. They also allow educators to create assessments with adjustable time limits, diverse question types, and multiple-choice formats that cater to different learning needs and provide immediate feedback.
- Equality: Offers a standardized framework for grading that is applied uniformly across all student work, ensuring consistent evaluation criteria.
- Equity: Allows for addressing specific learning needs and helps students understand their performance in a detailed, actionable way.
Final thoughts
Balancing equality vs equity is an ongoing process that requires commitment from educators and administrators to ensure fairness in academic integrity and assessment practices. By understanding the difference between equality and equity and implementing policies that reflect these principles, educators can foster a more inclusive and effective learning environment.
Institutions must adopt the necessary tools, policies, and teaching methods to create an equitable learning space that maintains academic integrity while addressing the diverse needs of all students. Embracing the concept of equality vs equity allows institutions to support every learner, regardless of their background or learning style.
When approached thoughtfully, it is possible to integrate both equality-based standards and equity-driven support for a truly inclusive educational experience.
Discover how Turnitin can help create a fair and inclusive learning environment by providing personalized feedback, promoting academic integrity, and addressing the diverse needs of all students.