Jonathan Kozol Outlook On South Central Los Angeles Schools

Although the statistics are more than 10 years out of date, the reality of America school segregation has not changed. The barely functional buildings, lack of up to date text books (or in many cases any text books), overcrowded classes, non-existent lab and computer equipment, and low paid teachers create a situation of despair that leads to a drop out rate of more than 50% in many districts. And even those who graduate are often barely literate. Kozol draws the clear link between these schools and the imprisonment of the oppressed nations who, after dropping out of a dead end education, end up locked behind bars.

In the week's reading it offered a unique perspective education of segregated school by the percentage of black and hispanic students. The arguments that can be mafe about the myth of educations and empowerment in the reading "Still Separate, Still Unequal" by Jonathan Kozol, is still being affected by funds. The author speaks about statistics present the overpopulated schools are filled with minorities. "Whether the issue is inequity alone or deepening resegregation or the labyrinthine intertwining of the two, it is well past the time for us to start the work that it will take to change this." "We do not have the things you have," Alliyah told me when she wrote to ask if I would come and visit her school in the South Bronx. "Can you help us?"

The concept of schooling, and how it differs from education, takes center stage in Angela Valenzuela’s Subtractive Schooling. The book is the culmination of a three-year study of Seguin High School in Houston, TX. Using data analysis as well as extensive observations and interviews, Valenzuela puts a face to the numbers. A significant portion of the book focusses on the role of language in terms of its application to culture. The book also shows a road map to creating relationships with our disenfranchised youth that will lead to authentic learning and positive changes in school culture. Valenzuela’s Subtractive schooling offers a sordid and shocking tale of “what could have been.”

In the city of Los Angeles is Fremont High School, and unlike most schools in the country, this one runs on a three-track schedule, meaning that it is open year round with short numerous breaks throughout the year. The school contains 3,300 students in attendance year round and being that the school is lacking in funds and hindering the students from following their dreams, this is very impactful on a large amount of people beause it lacks also preparation for college. In the article, “Fremont High School”, Jonathan Kozol examines the conditions of Fremont High School from the perspective of the students, and teachers alike. He uses statistics that have been submitted to the courts during depositions and student recounts of activity. Jonathan Kozol uses persuasive techniques such as ethos, logos, and pathos in the article, “Fremont High School”, to persuade the audience, members of society, that they can help by providing funds, because of the lack of funding it has caused a disservice to the students, causing students to struggle with following their dreams.

Kozol also shows us letters he has received from young elementary school children trying to understand why they do not have the same luxuries other children in wealthier school districts have, and why they do not have basic needs such as toiletries. Pathos is used within this essay to convey the sorrow of these students’ situations. For example, when he speaks of a letter written by an eight year old girl named Elizabeth, “It is not fair that other kids have a garden and new things. But we don’t have that.” (Kozol 206) There is a deep amount of sadness from the tone of this little girl’s letter, which me feel empathy for this

It has become common today to dismiss the lack of education coming from our impoverished public schools. Jonathan Kozol an award winning social injustice writer, trying to bring to light how our school system talks to their students. In his essay “Still Separate, Still Unequal," Kozol visits many public high schools as well as public elementary schools across the country, realizing the outrageous truth about segregating in our public education system. Kozol, cross-examining children describing their feelings as being put away where no one desires your presence. Children feeling diminished for being a minority; attending a school that does not take into consideration at the least the child’s well being. Showing clear signs of segregation in the education system.

Schools lacking social utilities that are needed to promote the academic status of its students is an issue. Whether these benefits should be kept opened or closed is widely debated in most societies. The condition of such schools is an important issue because it determines the future of its students academically. Some issues facing schools include social, public and economic issues; this essay will consider arguments concerning the social, public and economical causes of this problem through the use of Jonathan Kozol 's "FREMONT HIGH SCHOOL", which was written to expose the poor conditions in Fremont high school and seek in the improvement of the school system.

I am aware that there are better and worse high schools out there than Fremont High School. And yet, reading Kozol's account of the terrible conditions that are endured by these students made me feel more aware of the severity of improper or inadequate education that poorly funded schools provide. All of these problems, alongside my awareness of my fortunate years of education, make me wonder, just as Mireya did, as to why, "...[students] who need it so much more get so much less?" (Kozol 648). Interestingly, I have little to comment on Kozol's actual writing style, even though he wrote this account of his. I was just so attached to the characters within that school that I wanted to be able to reach out somehow; Kozol definitely achieved something very touching here.

The economic issues in American society have major effect on young on young children basic needs. Young children do not understand the economic issues their families facing in today’s society. In the short story “The Lesson” the author addresses the reader regarding social and economic inequality in America. In America lower family are suffering the most because of their monthly income and cannot afford things their children’s wants. Therefore, lower family cannot afford the expensive materials for their children because they have to think about their daily life styles. Also these lower families had difficult times affording clothing, food, house rents and other essentials. According to the article, “Children are especially vulnerable economically

There exists a dichotomy between inner-city schools and suburban schools, Ernesto Quinonez’s “Bodega Dreams” shows that there is a disparity rifled in tension between most of the staff and the student body as it becomes a manner of us vs them. In the story, one of the students Julio illustrates this by saying “He was one of those upper-middle-class people who think highly of themselves because they could be making money or something but no, they have taken the high road and have chosen to ‘help’ poor kids from the ghetto”

In the writing Fremont High School by Jonathan Kozol he discusses the reality of urban schools and how they are unable to obtain the proper education. At Fremont High School children are not always able to eat during their lunch period, the proper education needed for college is not obtained, the school reflects institutional discrimination, and the building is overcrowded limiting course offerings for children.

     In Savage Inequalities, Jonathan Kozol documents the devastating inequalities in American schools, focusing on public education’s “savage inequalities” between affluent districts and poor districts. From 1988 till 1990, Kozol visited schools in over thirty neighborhoods, including East St. Louis, the Bronx, Chicago, Harlem, Jersey City, and San Antonio. Kozol describes horrifying conditions in these schools. He spends a chapter on each area, and provides a description of the city and a historical basis for the impoverished state of its school. These schools, usually in high crime areas, lack the most basic needs. Kozol creates a scene of rooms without heat, few supplies or text, labs with no

This analysis glances at poverty as well as the forms of oppressions that can be seen in society especially within the school systems in terms of my own understanding and opinions. During the last two classes we had the chance to experience different learning centres that focus on subjectively on poverty and oppression, each with a different culture or community, and how poverty affects them. The centres keep the students engaged with the activity as each centre had a different activity, this varied from play dough, graphic organizers to documentaries. In this analysis I will focus on my thoughts and experiences though-out my journey in the learning centres, what I learned from the multiple intelligences, the Q Sort Pre-Centre Activity, as

Inside of the classroom there was a different objective I observed such as three calendars, three tables, a cabinet, 15 pack backs on the shelves and glitter. There were 2 flags, four plants and children sitting and lunch set. There were wood blocks, children pictures, pencil and crayons. There was hand paint, one clock and three rugs. There was three teachers and one with it an apron on.

“Hungry and tired, the boy squirms in his seat. Surrounded by classmates studiously working, he stares out the window, one leg anxiously thumping the side of his desk. In second grade, he has already experienced the types of stressors that dull the colors and geographies of childhood into shades and valleys of gray... His book is opened to a happy story, but neglected. There are dark circles under his eyes, and he startles easily. [The teacher] noticed that he seems both alienated from his peers and clearly desperate to fit in. Unfortunately, the basic social skills required to gain social acceptance don’t come easily to him. Regulating his emotions is also a struggle. Prone to outbursts, he doesn’t communicate his needs in grade-appropriate ways. He accumulates school absences and tardies the way other students accumulate new clothes. Having noticed that he is also struggling in reading, [the teacher] is beginning to wonder if he may have some sort of disability. Truth is, the boy is homeless” (Firth). These are often the stories heard about the educational progress of poverty-stricken children. With struggles including an unstable living environment, continuous drug use, abuse, and the absence of parental guidance, the children are facing adversity within the educational system. Since poverty and health are interlinked with a lower level of education in a society, we must study their relationship and effects to minimize the impact they have in a community.