The Economics of Equity in K-12 Education

A talk by Whitworth Professor of Education Goldy Brown III

Professor Brown will discuss recommendations gleaned from the forthcoming volume The Economics of Equity in K-12 Education.

Equity has become one of the hallmark issues of our time in education policy. But equity is a politicizing word and an ambiguous one at best. Does equity mean that everyone must have the same outcome, or simply that people have similar opportunities? Few would agree with the former definition, but the policies that have been advanced in the name of equity often are anchored in the presupposition that different outcomes are a result of injustice, rather than different inputs.  

In the new book, “The Economics of Equity in K-12 Education,” we present recommendations about specific educational policy, programming, and systemic changes from the scientific literature that have been proven to increase the overall life chances of American students. The book's aim is to bring the vast amount of empirical research that has been done in the area of education policy, and the economics of education, to light in a more accessible format so that state policymakers can review and apply best practices when navigating their duties and community engagement. 

Conversations of educational equity must consider how students accumulate skills and cultivate their abilities—also known as “human capital”— in hopes to return human capital development to be the top priority for our K 12 System. Absent these evidence-based priorities from the K-12 System debate, the recent idealistic proposals (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) may treat a symptom without addressing the root cause, making them ineffective at best and counterproductive at worst. The proposals in this book are essential to state and local governments, educational leaders, and anyone interested in making the top priority of the American education system, preparing our students with the necessary skills to participate, flourish, and grow in the future American Economy. 

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