Is Schooling Equatable?
Is Schooling Equitable? To answer this question, I think we need to first know the definition of the word. according to the Merriam Webster, to be equitable is to be able to be made equal. To reach this, schools must always be fair to all students. Now knowing this definition, I feel I can make my own opinion. No, I do not think schooling is equitable; I think that it should be, but in American history it has yet to be so. Recently, Graduate students at Stanford and USC came up with a new way of tracking schooling and housing segregation in the U.S. called the ‘Segregation Index’. This new tool “shows American schools remain highly segregated by race, ethnicity, and economic status.” Not only does this show segregation is still happening but growing in our larger districts. This is very disheartening for me, because we know that segregation is wrong, but nothing is being done to prevent it from continuing. While our schools may not be segregated the same ways, they were pre–Civil Rights era, remaining segregated in any way prevents school from being equitable. All students should be provided with the same learning and opportunities, regardless of their differences. Funding is a huge issue for most of the schools in America, but this shouldn’t be harming students’ education. I think that there should be a larger effort being made to provide support to schools with less funding, as we should all care about the education of the future generations. Until the schools begin to reach some sort of equilibrium point, our schooling will remain inequitable.
Hi Lilli! Great blog this week, I really enjoyed reading about how you think schools are not equitable, which I agree with. I like how you mentioned the graduate students at USC which I have never read that before. Where could I find this to read more? Also, when you mentioned that schools may not be segregated like in the pre-Civil Rights era, there is still segregation in schools. One example that I have noticed about how schools are still "segregated" are that school districts still manage to change and modify their zones to put the "poorer" neighborhoods all at one school. I would have to agree with you about school funding because this goes back to the students in "poorer" neighborhoods get zoned to a school that is older and has not been renovated and funded enough to fix the school and so they accommodate more children and improve schooling inequities.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your feedback! I found my information from USC in this weeks module at https://ed.stanford.edu/news/new-segregation-index-shows-american-schools-remain-highly-segregated-race-ethnicity-and. It was a very interesting read that I thought provided a lot of insight on the topic. I think a lot of the funding problems also have to do with district size. for example, a district is given x amount of money every year, but the districts with many schools, like AISD can do less with this amount that districts in more rural/developing areas, like Leander ISD.
DeleteHi Lilli, thank you for sharing your thoughts on whether or not school is equitable. I like how you provide a definition for the word equitable because I without it the word could be confused to be interchangeable with equality. I agree with you that school is not equitable although the public school system likes to claim it is fair but this so called fair treatment leads to more inequality. I like the research you provide it really does show the continuation of the issue. The lack of proper funding definitely plays a role in the problems. Most of the teachers I have talked to pull money out of their own savings in order to give their students everything they need to learn which should be paid for by the school/government itself. Again, thank you for sharing your blog with me. I really enjoyed reading your take on the question!
ReplyDeletethank you for your kind response! From my own experience working in education, I have learned that most of the nice things teachers have usually came out of their own pockets. I have spent many paychecks myself on supplies for my students, and i am not even tasked with teaching them, just keeping them entertained while still doing something somewhat educational. I am given the option to get what I need from the company, but it usually takes weeks and is often at least 3x more expensive than if I just got it myself. It doesn't help that teachers already get paid so little, but half of that check is going right back into their work.
DeleteHey Lilli! I loved reading your blog this week. Answering the question by first examining the definition of equitable was a great way to open the start of the blog. I agree with you in that schools are not equitable and are still segregated to this day. In personal experience, I have seen first how how separated that schools can be. My school was significantly segregated by class and the inequalities that were brought along with it for the students of lower class. My question is how would you deal with situations of equity within your classroom? I think more school districts need to do a better job at helping their students and breaking the cycle of segregation within our public schools. Funding is another issue with school that are not equitable. I agree that more should be done to help schools that have less funding. I think you did a great job answering this question and putting your own opinion in this post.
ReplyDeleteHi Chandler, thank you for the reply! unfortunately, the most probable way that I would be combating inequity in my classroom would be lots of out of pocket expenses for supplies, materials, books, etc. Most teachers currently are putting a large chunk of their already small paychecks back into their classroom, but with how things are looking currently, I cannot see myself avoiding the same fate without accepting the lack of manipulatives at my disposal. As a future science teacher, and a big supporter in hands on learning, I want my classroom to be full of hand samples and extra materials for my students to look at and ask questions about.
DeleteHey Lilli. This is such a powerful message you cover in your blog for this week. This was new research that I have not been exposed to before until I read this week’s modules. It really made me so hurt and angry that we are still facing racial discrimination and cultural discrimination in our schools in 2023. This is a never ending fight that we have to stay aware of and stay fighting for! You mention that this is a huge issue for schools in America and this should not be harming the education for our youth. You are exactly right now, that is what is so hard to hear as a woman of color and future educator. This issue is not affecting young students in their classrooms in their schools. We all should have the opportunity to learn and be treated equally while we learn. Great job on this blog! I enjoyed reading your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHey Lilli! I completely agree with you. The way things are now, the education system is far from equitable for all students. Integration during the civil rights movement was a step toward equality, but to make everyone have equal opportunity for success requires acknowledging the different prejudices that make it more difficult for black and brown students to prosper. Some of the articles provided in the modules showed evidence to support the notion that equitable schooling has not been achieved. For example, black students are more likely to be penalized more harshly for the same behavior as their white peers. They are seen as more likely to be troublemakers, a negative perception influenced significantly by the color of their skin. This is not the only issue affecting the equitability of education, but being conscious of this specific problem as teachers can make a positive change.
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