Opinion: Putting excellence first is the path to equity in education

Equity-first policies have failed to deliver either equity or excellence, while putting excellence first has delivered both

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:31am

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This opinion piece argues that American education has been conducting an experiment over the past decade, with some school systems trying to promote equity by lowering academic standards, while others have insisted on clear expectations and high standards. The results show that equity-first policies have led to falling test scores and soaring grades, while states that have prioritized excellence have seen improvements in student achievement across all ability levels. The author contends that equity built on lowered expectations is a mirage, and that true equity can only be achieved by putting excellence first.

Why it matters

This debate over the best approach to achieving equity in education has significant implications for students, parents, and the future of the education system. The findings presented in the article challenge the prevailing narrative that prioritizing equity over excellence is the path to improving outcomes for disadvantaged students. The article suggests that this approach has actually failed to deliver on either equity or excellence, and that a focus on high standards and evidence-based instruction may be a more effective strategy.

The details

The article cites data showing that in states that have adopted equity-first policies, such as California and Chicago, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores have fallen sharply, with the steepest declines among the lowest-performing students. Meanwhile, grades have soared, leading to situations where students earning high grades in high-school calculus struggle with middle-school algebra. In contrast, states that have prioritized excellence, such as Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Alabama, have experienced a 'Southern surge' in K-12 reading achievement across all levels of ability.

  • Over the past decade, American education has been running this experiment.
  • National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores have fallen sharply since the mid-2010s.

The players

Eric Hanushek

An economist who has shown that high expectations for students and teachers, paired with evidence-based instruction, are especially powerful for students who start out behind.

James Heckman

An economist who has shown that high expectations for students and teachers, paired with evidence-based instruction, are especially powerful for students who start out behind.

Roland Fryer

An economist who has shown that high expectations for students and teachers, paired with evidence-based instruction, are especially powerful for students who start out behind.

Raj Chetty

An economist who has shown that high expectations for students and teachers, paired with evidence-based instruction, are especially powerful for students who start out behind.

Trump administration

The Trump administration has increased scrutiny on universities that have made large bets on equity-first approaches, which have conflicted with federal anti-discrimination law.

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What’s next

The article does not mention any specific next steps, as it is an opinion piece focused on the broader debate over the best approach to achieving equity in education.

The takeaway

The article presents a compelling argument that putting excellence first, through high standards, evidence-based instruction, and a focus on developing transferable skills, is the most effective path to achieving true equity in education. It suggests that equity-first policies have failed to deliver on their promises, and that a shift towards prioritizing excellence is necessary to ensure all students, regardless of background, have the opportunity to succeed.