How Can Schools Be More Equitable?
Schools all around the world are different in many ways. An example would be that they have different curriculums and teaching styles to benefit the students. No school is the exact same, especially when it comes down to the same level of education each school has. In the article “Separate and Unequal: School funding in post-racial America” Every state had relied heavily on the local property taxes that were funded to public schools in the United States. It created how school districts were viewed as unequal issuance of money to wealth discrimination. The more districts with higher property taxes are able to raise more money for the funding of schools versus the poorer districts. In the article it stated that majority of American public schools are viewed as segregated, and the vast majority of those students are classified as low-income students. Within local property tax revenues still serve as the main source of local funding within the public education system. The article goes on about the less money a district has the more problems it creates. An example they used was how less qualified teachers also tend to be paid lower salaries and be less equipped to handle situations where discipline is required. Equality in education is achieved when everyone is treated equally. A few ways that schooling can ensure that they are being more equitable is by building a support system for the students for them to be able to get support when it is needed, reduce race and gender barriers, and accommodate to the students learning styles. Funding is important due to it going to the schools and if you live in a low-income area you go to a low-income school and you won’t have the same education as someone who went to a high-income school. So proper funding isn’t equally distributed then some students are being left behind while as others are far ahead.
Hi Bri, I completely agree with your argument and that the best way for our schools to be more equitable is to remain unbiased and be able to provide more for our students that need it. One article I found from completing further research includes that although funding is a big issue and creates inequalities within schools, we must push even beyond that, and "reforms must focus on both funding levels and equal access to resources," which are shown to be fundamental to a quality education. I think you make great points over a very controversial topics, but it is important to bring these up as the education system is constantly changing, and we must reevaluate the essential question of "what is best for the students?" By revisiting this every so often we can provide an up-to-date and quality education that benefits all students and be certain that every child is getting the resources we need. It is definitely a challenge when schools are not given the proper funding to support their students, but by bringing up awareness to the topic like you have done we are already making a progressive step forward to make a change. Thank you for posting, it was very engaging!!
ReplyDeleteArticle can be found here: https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/education-k-12/reports/2018/11/13/460397/quality-approach-school-funding/
Separate but equal is such in an important phrase when speaking on equity and the school systems. As for the longest time people didn't realize that you can correlate the quality of materials being taught with the quality of education students are being given. It is a disaster that we still do this to people in our education system. While it might not be as racially charged as in the past , anyone can be intelligent given the chance to grow and develop and schools not providing the proper tools to succeed because of location to low income neighborhoods is repulsive. We should be lifting people up that are in a bad situation not prioritizing students that already have a plethora of opportunities. Overall I think that buffing the amount of services that schools have in high income neighborhoods while nice and providing tools to these students could be better utilized for students who don't have the nicest textbooks, library or afterschool programs.
ReplyDeleteHi Bri!
ReplyDeleteAlthough we have come such a long way, we still see segregation happening in the field of education. School funding plays a big part in the educational segregation that we see today. I would argue that there are other things like the strategic “zoning” that takes place in school districts, that also play into the way schools are segregated as well. The solution to the public school funding crisis is local property taxes for most states. Students that live in and attend school in lower income areas are negatively impacted by this “solution,” and it is made so obvious when you can see a clear lack of resources like textbooks, electronics, supplies, etc. in comparison to the schools in nicer areas. I think that local governments have too much responsibility when it comes to public schools, and what they are doing to run them is not working too well, so the national government needs to do some intervening. -Kristian Pogue
Hi Bri!
ReplyDeleteYour blog brings up so many interesting points. The idea that schools are “separate and unequal” is very eye opening. I think it is unfair that the funding that is given to schools depends on property tax rates, as every school and student deserves equal opportunities. Funding plays such a large role in educational experiences in school. Every child and every student deserves to have access to resources that will help them succeed and it is not fair that lack of school funding can often prohibit this. I agree that lack of funding in schools causes many issues that we must work together to combat. We must encourage and advocate for equality and equal funding in schools. It is also important that we advocate for support services and resources for all students, no matter what school.
-Lauren
Hey Bri,
ReplyDeleteI do not know if I can agree with your statement that everyone should be treated equal for our school system to be more equitable. To be become more equitable it is to figure out how we determine what is needed for each student in a school and then compare that with another school to come to the conclusion about how the funds and resources are divided for the students' needs. We should also change the assessment of students to become a better education system that is provides equitable education for the students because not everyone can understand knowledge the same. I do agree with that statement including changing what teachers are meant to teach their students, need to stop "Teaching the Test" and start teaching skills that make our society a better place.