Educational Equity

Educational Equity

School board members are responsible for the “equitable and quality education of every student in the school district” and must act accordingly in their collective work as a board of education to foster excellence for every student.

The Illinois Association of School Boards recognizes that everyone benefits when all students have access to the educational resources and rigor they need, in all times and circumstances.

In light of its mission and vision, IASB undertakes equity work to provide its members with resources to develop their competence and confidence in support of educational equity. 

Illinois Association of School Boards Definition of Educational Equity

“Educational equity means that every student has access to the educational resources and rigor they need at the right moment in their education, and students’ needs are not going unmet due to race, ethnicity, dominant language, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, family background, and/or family income.”
(Adapted in 2018 from the Council of Chief State School Officers and Kedda Williams/Opportunity Institute)

The resources below can assist school districts on their equity journeys.

Additional Reading


Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Resources

This list of resources is collected and compiled by the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, and has been provided by committee members and others, including Pat Savage-Williams and Tom Bertrand. The resources on this list will be updated frequently. 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Resources List
Updated March 2024

Illinois School Board Journal articles:


ICSA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee