Fair but not Equal

"I'll Treat Everyone Fairly but not the Same"

Ø Treating everyone fairly does not mean treating everyone the same:  Students need to realize that fairness does not mean treating everyone the same.  Fairness is providing students the individualized approaches they need to be successful.  This means giving some students with special needs the extra attention, support or modified assignments that other students might not need.

Ø Fair is not equal discussion:  The following discussion should be held with the students at the beginning of the year:  "Class, I want everyone to understand that we are all different.  We have different hair, different skin, different eyes, etc. We also have different ways of learning.  Some people may need different types of help in order to do their best in this class.  Please understand that this is why at times I will treat people differently".

Working Successfully With Difficult And Disruptive Students Strategies That Work (resource handbook by Mark Boynton)

Have you ever used a wheelchair ramp instead of the stairs when entering a building?  Although it was built to accommodate a handicapped person, we all benefit.  That idea carries over to the classroom.  When a student's behavior has improved because of an intervention, everyone gains.