Equity, simply, is fairness; compliance with standards and regulations. With this definition alone the importance of equity in education can be determined invaluable. It is so important, in fact, that people throughout history have fought for it. Society has it's problems, from racism and discrimination to unfair testing standards. With help from the federal government these problems are being solved.

Tolerance is a recent political term used within debates in areas of social, cultural and religious context, as an emphatic antithesis to discrimination, as such may advocate persecution. Its usage came about as a more widely acceptable alternative to "acceptance," the usage of which had been widely derided, as certain cases would not be considered by common society as acceptable. The term is often used in reference to foreign religious belief, as well as to more particular categories, such as discrimination against unusual sexual and social orientation.   More detail...