Many students born and raised in poor areas are at a significant disadvantage compared to students in wealthier areas. This is a problem that needs to be solved by prioritizing equity and quality in education to ensure all students receive the resources they need.
Educational disparities can mean that students from poorer areas have fewer resources to succeed academically and reach their goals.
It is sad that students who do not have control over where they go to school have to deal with not receiving a quality education that will put them in a better position in the future.
School performance levels in the Chicago Public School District have been shown to be correlated with poverty. A 2017 study from Southern Illinois University found that poor schools have lower test scores and are under more pressure to meet state standards than schools in higher-income areas..
Policy makers need to start ensuring that students receive a quality education and have access to resources and opportunities that prepare them for the future. After all, it's their job to advocate for their constituents.
The lack of funding that schools receive impacts the education that students receive.
“The NIU College of Education's director of equity, Eric Junko, said: He said funding for schools is more effective than most people realize..
“Low-income areas often have more limited funding than schools in more affluent areas, and what happens is that funding disparity affects things like teacher pay, and teacher pay goes down. If they have a lower space, they often move to more affluent areas,” Junko said. He said. “But what happens after that is that students in these less affluent areas often have less experience. They are the least experienced teachers, and that contributes to academic achievement.”
According to , increased education spending has significant benefits for students, including higher test scores, higher graduation rates, and, in some cases, higher wages as adults. chalk beata nonprofit news organization.
For students to grow academically, it is essential that schools receive adequate funding. Students deserve a fair and enriching education, regardless of their background.
It's also important for schools to track where the money they receive goes. Schools that spend more money on instruction and support services have the best outcomes for students from low-income families in terms of graduation rates and wages, according to a research paper published by the association. National Bureau of Economic Research.
Schools need to ensure that the funds they spend are used for the betterment of their students.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how students with fewer resources are at a disadvantage.
“The pandemic has disrupted education across the country, spotlighting existing racial and economic disparities and creating potential for a lost generation,” the paper said. harvard gazette. As we transitioned to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, students lacked digital access.
During the spring 2021 shutdown, black and Hispanic households were 1.3 to 1.4 times more likely to face restrictions on access to computers and the internet than white households, with digital access restrictions at 42%, according to the study. harvard university gazette.
Moreover, recent data shows that the pandemic has erased two decades of academic progress and severely impacted disadvantaged households. According to , high-achieving students had greater access to electronic devices, high-speed internet, a quiet place to work, and someone to help them with their schoolwork. National Center for Educational Statistics.
Mr. Junko mentioned the concept of the “digital divide.” This is a term that refers to the disparity between those who have access to certain technologies and those who do not. The digital divide is an issue that needs to be addressed when students need to go fully digital, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Students can suffer from a lack of access to basic digital resources, resulting in them lacking the technical knowledge and skills they need to find employment, participate in modern society, and more.” Junko said.
To help students break through barriers and overcome disadvantages, some universities, such as NIU, Guaranteed admission program Or they removed standardized tests required for college admissions.
“For the College of Education, one of the things we've done is, in the wake of this pandemic, we've said we're not going to require things like the ACT or SAT, knowing that it would be an extra expense. Because there are,” Junko said. “This is also one of the ways we can increase access to our facilities by removing some of the barriers.”
building community The school system helps address the lack of equity and quality education in the U.S. K-12 education system.
Inside the community school system, where multiple institutions, researchers, and leaders can come together to innovate and share resources for schools. These community school systems focus on classroom instruction that strengthens student and family engagement, expands and enriches learning opportunities, creates a culture of belonging and safety, and connects with the community.
The United States should strive to ensure that students are able to reach their full potential academically and are not disadvantaged simply because of their region of origin. Children are the future of the world and ensuring that all children have access to a fair and quality education must be a priority.
