Although the American Education system has made many strides toward improvement, many low-income students still suffer from the educational inequalities that exist, skin color still divides us (Darling-Hammond). The current system and policies in place lack a more diverse and equal education. There is still a need for teachers who know student diversity and a more diverse curriculum that is more inclusive to students of all races, genders, and ethnicities. The more affluent areas with higher incomes are currently benefiting the most from the education system, they are allowed to receive a higher quality education with smaller class sizes, highly qualified teachers with an abundance of technology, and classroom supplies.
Students in lower-income areas do not receive the same quality education as those in higher-income areas. The teachers in low-income areas are under-qualified and they lack much-needed classroom supplies or technology. The school systems are failing the minority low-income students by not providing them with access to more school funding to hire effective teachers, the annual income for teachers in the schools of the low-income areas is around $37,340, while those teachers in more affluent areas annual income are $57,160 (US Dept Of ED).
Schools should be preparing students to succeed, but instead many students in impoverished areas aren’t receiving a quality education. In an article written by Jean Anyon titled “Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work,” she wrote about her observation of elementary schools in different socioeconomic areas. Throughout the article, she explains the differences and teaching styles at the schools. The schools were divided up into four categories working low income, middle class, affluent professional and executive elite. Out of all the schools visited the most drastic differences in teaching styles and classroom supplies were between low income and affluent classes. The low-income students were taught with a method that work is evaluated not according to whether its right, but the children followed the right steps. The affluent schools were taught in a method that was free-thinking and independent,
127 our experts are availableright now
These students were being prepared to take on lower-income jobs while schools in the higher income areas were being prepared to be successful and take on higher-income careers. (Anyon). We live in a world where success is measured by the level of education achieved, if you want to be successful in life you must achieve a certain level of education but how can that be achieved without the proper tools to succeed.
I have experienced what it is like attending a school in a low-income area, programs constantly get cut for lack of funds and students are forced to utilize ripped and torn textbooks held together by tape. “Curriculum offerings and materials are lower in quality; the teachers are much less qualified in terms of the level of education, certification, and training in the field they teach” (Darling-Hammond). Teachers have a responsibility to create lessons that promote independent learning in the lower-income schools, every student doesn’t learn at the same pace but with more independent learning like demonstrated in the more affluent schools, students may be more interested in-class assignments.
Many school systems receive money from the government, but the funds are based largely in part to the property value of the neighborhoods. The schools in low-income neighborhoods where the property value is significantly lower receive the least amount of funding than those schools in neighborhoods where the property value is higher. School districts with the highest population of minority or low-income students receive about $ 1800 less per student than those serving the lowest population of a minority or low-income students (Startz). There is a link between lack of school funding in low-income areas and student performance, more spending on low-income students leads to improvement in reading and math (US Dept of Ed). Insufficient school funding can aid in sabotaging the future of students already struggling with other obstacles.
Overcrowded classrooms are a major problem that plagues the schools of low-income areas; classrooms are overcrowded making it hard for the teacher to gain control of the classroom. Students need a classroom that is comfortable and manageable. The comfort of being in a classroom where the student to teacher ratio isn’t so high will help some focus better as well as receive more one on one attention from the teacher. School systems do realize that low-income students need extra support and resources but some of the policies in place for allocating resources that could help decrease class sizes, are making the problem worse (US Dept of ED).
The American education system is not meeting the needs of many of its students, especially those that come from low-income areas. These groups of students are currently being left behind by an education system that is failing to meet all their educational needs. Even though educators have made efforts to ensure that everyone receives an equal education, low income, and minority students still don’t have access to the same quality and diverse education as those of high-income students.
Works Cited
- Anyon, Jean. ‘Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work*.’ Boston University Journal of Education, 1980, pp. 369-394.
- Bernstein, Marc. ‘The Tone of Inequality in Education.’ New York Times, Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints, 2 Feb. 2003, www.ccbcmd.edu. Accessed 11 Mar. 2020.
- Darling-Hammond, Linda. ‘Unequal Opportunity: Race and Education.’ Brookings, 1 Mar. 1998, www.brookings.edu.
- Greenberg, Eran. ‘Setting Higher Education Standards for Maryland.’ Baltimore Magazine, 19 Feb. 2020, www.baltimoremagazine.com.
- Leeman, Cavin P. ‘Inequality in Education.’ Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoint’s, 13 Nov. 2013, link-gale-comccbcmd.idm.oclc.org/doc/A348909837/OVIC?. Accessed 11 Mar. 2020.
- Startz, Dick. ‘Equal Opportunity in American Education.’ 15 Jan. 2019, www.brooking.edu.
- US Department of Education. ‘State and Local Funding Schools.’ 30 Nov. 2011, www.ed.gov.
