Wk2 Assignment SOC 320
The American Education System
Saida Cabrera
SOC 320: Public Policy & Social Services
Instructor: Bernie Colon
November 10, 2014
The American Education System
Every individual in the United States deserves equal access to education but unfortunately this is not the case. “Despite major progress in some areas, many students, especially students of color, continue to lack the opportunity of a quality education” (U.S Department of Education, 2014). Many years ago the Brown v. Board of Education revealed the racial gap that existed in the early 1960’s and with Brown’s victory we can now have equal opportunity on a racial level. That was a big achievement for the education system as children of any color, culture, or ethnic group received the same quality of education as white children in America. In many poor communities educational opportunities are not as equal as in other sectors where well off Americans live. In this paper I will discuss whether every individual has the right to equal education, who is responsible for the provision of education, and I will suggest an improvement that I believe can help our educational system. “We have moved from a society in the 1950s and 1960s, in which race was more consequential than family income, to one today in which family income appears more determinative of educational success than race” (Tavernise, 2012). The gap is so very significant that many Americans are worried and are speaking up in order to get attention to this growing issue. With these education budget cuts, some states cannot find the economical resources to support all local community school therefore hiring teachers that have a lower level of training or fresh out of college. “Economically disadvantaged schools tend to pay teachers less, resulting in many of their teachers leaving for better-paying jobs elsewhere after a few years. Therefore, these schools tend to have more inexperienced teachers than those in wealthier districts
Saida Cabrera
SOC 320: Public Policy & Social Services
Instructor: Bernie Colon
November 10, 2014
The American Education System
Every individual in the United States deserves equal access to education but unfortunately this is not the case. “Despite major progress in some areas, many students, especially students of color, continue to lack the opportunity of a quality education” (U.S Department of Education, 2014). Many years ago the Brown v. Board of Education revealed the racial gap that existed in the early 1960’s and with Brown’s victory we can now have equal opportunity on a racial level. That was a big achievement for the education system as children of any color, culture, or ethnic group received the same quality of education as white children in America. In many poor communities educational opportunities are not as equal as in other sectors where well off Americans live. In this paper I will discuss whether every individual has the right to equal education, who is responsible for the provision of education, and I will suggest an improvement that I believe can help our educational system. “We have moved from a society in the 1950s and 1960s, in which race was more consequential than family income, to one today in which family income appears more determinative of educational success than race” (Tavernise, 2012). The gap is so very significant that many Americans are worried and are speaking up in order to get attention to this growing issue. With these education budget cuts, some states cannot find the economical resources to support all local community school therefore hiring teachers that have a lower level of training or fresh out of college. “Economically disadvantaged schools tend to pay teachers less, resulting in many of their teachers leaving for better-paying jobs elsewhere after a few years. Therefore, these schools tend to have more inexperienced teachers than those in wealthier districts