How is Equity in Higher Education Understood?

Paper Authored by: Zdenko Kodelja, of the Educational Research Institute in Ljubljana.

Abstract

Although the term “equity” – which derives from the Latin word “aequitas” – originates from the concept of equality, equity is usually understood as a kind of justice. On the one hand, equity is the same as a rectification of legal justice (Aristotle), and on the other hand, it is nothing other than justice conceived as fairness (Rawls). When the term “equity” is used in higher education, it mainly refers to different conceptions of social justice and predominantly to the one which can be defined as equality of opportunities: to enrol in higher education institutions (equity of access), and to complete higher education studies (equity of results).

Author Biography

Zdenko Kodelja, Ph.D. is a senior researcher and Head of the Centre for Philosophy of Education at the Educational Research Institute in Ljubljana. He also teaches Philosophy of Education at the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities, University of Primorska; and Ethics of Educational Research, Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana. He is a member of Philosophy of Education Network of the European Educational Research Association; International Network of Philosophers of Education; Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain; Société Francophone de Philosophie de l’éducation. His complete bibliography includes more than 380 units (books, chapters in books, essays, articles, interviews, research reports).