The Elementary School 2010 Yearbook Essay

Almost all the family incomes are over $100,000...The incomes in this school represent less than 1 percent of the families in the United States,” (256) compared to working-class families who earn incomes “at or below $12,000” (256). Anyon presents these examples to compare the backgrounds of each school and uses this as logos to persuasively reason her claim that quality of education is offered to people who can afford it. Public schools that working-class and middle-class families can afford do not offer the same education private schools that upper-class and capitalist families can afford. Wealthy children who are privileged get an advantage early on in their education career because they are able to afford better quality teachers and lessons. This varied quality of education found in curriculums is what creates the unequal divide between educated individuals in different social classes. An audience of scholars and teachers would be persuaded by this claim because Anyon’s data transparently shows the uneven distribution of resources and opportunity found in the social class schools.

After reading the introduction and first chapter of The American Dream and The Public School, I don’t know whether to be more encouraged, more determined, more excited to be a teacher in a time where the future of public education needs strong student advocates, or to be terrified as I am reminded of the ever-growing disparities for children based on their socioeconomic standing, race, and ethnicity. Though strongly backing the project II topic my group presented in explaining how those who are morally educated well become better, more productive members of society, the authors of these chapters reminded me that for all the lip service Americans give to this topic, they do little to back it. I certainly agree that a good educational base generates

This demonstrates that if Sam’s school had got more funding then Sam may have received a proper education, and would have learned the intellectual skills that could help him to obtain a high paying job. Unlike many other people in richer parts of America who are able to achieve a lot in life due to their education, Sam’s lack of wealth ruins his future. Another example is one that hits closer to home- in terms of educational funding, the Illinois system is corrupt, and one of the districts that suffers most is that of Chicago Public Schools. In an interview with Ryan Young from CNN and an anonymous Chicago Public School teacher over the recent strike over budget cuts and the overall lack in school funding, the teacher states, “We care about the students. We want funding for our schools so our children can have supplies… gym, art, and PE., just like the kids in the suburbs do.” This is a direct representation of what is occurring in the Chicago Public School system today as a consequence of budget cuts and unequal funding. In general, the lack of school funding gives poorer children disadvantages when it comes to supplies that can help them to thrive. Also, budget cuts weaken the capacity of schools’ to develop the intelligence and creativity of the next generation of workers. In fact,, funding cuts lessen the ability of the schools to help prepare children better for their future, such as improving teacher

Being a teacher who has spent the past seven years working in a “persistently low-achieving” school, I have gained an understanding of the inequities within Jefferson County Public Schools. Students, who attend schools with higher levels of poverty, are subjected to not receiving the same standard of education as those who attend schools with lower levels of poverty. Educational equity is an issue in our district and has become a main focus for improvement. JCPS has made it a goal to find ways to provide an equitable education to all students, regardless of their gender, socio-economic status or ethnic origin. JCPS wishes to create a system that not only focuses on high achievement, fairness and providing an opportunity in education but ensures every student receives a basic minimum standard of education. Achieving these goals, of course, is easier said than done. Our district, school leaders, teachers, parents, students,

The resources available to an urban, lower income school are to be equal to those available to a suburban, higher income school. Two schools in New York, one from a wealthy school district and one from a poor district, were given computers. The State provided the same number of computers to each school, therefore claiming to evenly supporting each school. However, the school with the poorer children had a larger number of students; the nicer school had twice the number of computers in proportion to the number of their students (Kozol 84). It seems that the biggest factor keeping the children of lower income homes behind is the school funding available. The poorer school district does not have the money to spend on the things a wealthier district may, but there is no real evidence that spending money makes much difference in the outcome of a child's education. In many cases, family and background have a greater influence on how well a child does in school (Kozol 176-77). Richard Kahlenberg, a member of the Century Foundation, says, "Research findings and common sense tell us that the people who make up a school—the students, parents, and teachers—matter more (Lewis 648)

     Will Durant, a businessman and the founder of General Motors, once said, “Education is the transmission of civilization.” Unfortunately, education is still one of the most deliberated and controversial issues in the United States. Thus far, the privilege or right to receive education has not attained the level of equality throughout the nation; poor districts obtain less educational funding while rich districts obtain more, creating an immense gap between the quality of schools in poor and rich areas.

Jonathan Kozol, Savage Inequalities: Children in America’s Schools is an intense expose of unjust conditions in educating America’s children. Today’s society of living conditions, poverty, income, desegregation and political issues have forced inadequate education to many children across the country. Kozol discusses major reasons for discrepancies in schools: disparities of property taxes, racism and the conflict between state and local control. Kozol traveled to public schools researching conditions and the level of education in each school. He spoke with teachers, students, principals, superintendents and government officials to portray a clear picture of the

Does Oklahoma want to make the people with the biggest impact on the state’s children’s futures, and thus the future of its communities, struggle to get by day to day? Gina Cattaneo, a teacher at Tulsa Central High School, was recently interviewed by Janna Clark of Fox23 about the struggles of teachers to make ends meet. Cattaneo is a divorced mother of 2 who earns approximately $2,155 a month but after all her household bills are paid, she is left with roughly $268 a month for food, gas, clothing and doctor bills. (Clark). Cattaneo loves her job and does not want to find another job but she feels, “The state needs to come up with a plan…so we can have a lifestyle that we’re not constantly stressed and struggling.” (Clark). Other teachers have had to take on other part time jobs in order to make ends meet. For example, Summer Lyons, a four- year Pre-K teacher in Tulsa, earns $34,100 a year but works an additional 15 hours each weekend at a Chinese restaurant to make ends meet. (Robson). Lyons has considered moving to New York because the average teacher salary there is $75,279 and she feels the extra $31,000 each year would offset the cost of living differences. (Robson). Summer Lyons is a great example of a good teacher feeling underappreciated and looking at options out of state. Teachers significantly enhance the future of our state yet most Oklahomans do not realize the struggles teachers make each day in trying provide students their best education while worrying about how to pay their basic

There’s four main seasons that occur throughout the year. I’ve always loved the saying “like the seasons we change.” When I hear this saying I like to think of a tree; how it can go from being a little sprout, to small tree with only branches, to being so full of life with colors and leaves everywhere. This tree withstands the scorching hot summers, the brutal cold winters and all of what is in between. This tree stands strong and continues to grow and mature through it all. I would compare myself to this tree as I have grown, and matured as well. Throughout my four years of high school I’ve changed just like the seasons.

In the United States, public schools get their funding from their respective state. As a student, it can be seen as concerning when one compares how much states spend on their schools. Many schools are inadequate in both an aspect of safety and effectiveness of the learning environment. As a result of inadequate subsidy across America, schools resort to taking drastic measures. Not only are the unequal sources of subsidy a difficulty, but the concept and execution of budget cuts also exacerbate the issue. In order to give every student in America equal opportunities for success, funding should be controlled by the federal government with a policy that enforces equity rather than equality. This is also a viable option that could be carried

In 2005 Neil Blomkamp made a short film named Alice in Joburg, 4 years later he released the movie District 9 based on the short. The director Neil Blomkamp has told reporters that District 9 was inspired by historical events when Cape Town was declared a “whites only” area and 60,000 people were forcibly removed (Newsweek, 2016). This theme of acceptance is carried throughout the film via the narratives, soundtracks, and cinematography. The film District 9, shows how acceptance is extremely versatile and fragile. This is accomplished through cinematography, narrative, and the way that Neil Blomkamp has being able to symbolize Wikus Merwe as a very likable and friendly person. District 9 uses film techniques frequently and efficiently to broadcast

High School. The dreadful place every teen must spend possibly the worst four years of their lives in. While countless websites and magazines state that Northfield High School is one of the top public high schools in Minnesota, it is no exception. The teachers and staff take pride in this rating, making to tell each and every one of its prisoners. While the standardized test scores are abnormally high, I would not give credit to the sub-par teachers. Instead, I would credit the fact that this quaint high school is situated in a town with not one, but two liberal art colleges. Thus, much of its students are children of professors. Nevertheless, these statistics are still celebrated. Curious about what makes this high school better than the rest, I spent a day quietly observing the school and the people in it.

In today’s economic environment even the wealthiest states and districts are having to cut funding for education, while districts which were already teetering on the edge are now in an even worse position. In some schools children have to face not having enough books, paper for copies, severe overcrowding,

If the government needs money for anything, there are lots of alternatives for where this money can come from. Each option has it’s own sacrifices that have to be made when reducing funding. Schools, however, do not need any money and they will operate just as effectively no matter how little money they have and are therefore the best place to take money from, right? Wrong. In fact, this statement couldn’t be farther from the truth. Despite this, state and country leaders seem to support this idea, at least judging by their actions. Lack of funding is easily the greatest and most devastating problem in education today as it is not only a problem on its own, but a root cause for most of the issues the education system faces daily.

In addition, insufficient funding of schools along with quality teachers that are retiring are some of the problems we encounter in the education system. In some parts of the United States, there is a lack of adequate access to materials for reading and writing due to budget constraints. In Allen D. Kanner’s article, “Today’s Class Brought to You By…” he mentioned that with the baby boomers retiring, and a high turnover among new teachers, who are asked to teach subjects they are not properly trained for, are causing difficult classroom situations (280). Similarly, Governor Jerry Brown’s statement last January 11 pointed out that K-12 education has ‘borne the brunt’ of the state’s budget cuts with more than $18 billion in cuts over the last three years. This resulted in larger class sizes, programs are cut, and over 30,000 educators laid off. These teachers are very valuable in our society because they provide our youth with the knowledge and social experiences that they will use to better their future and the future of the entire world. As a student, I have suffered the consequences of triple digit fee increases and the lack of available classes offered. The high cost of education has put the burden not only on the students, and many of their parents, but educators, as