I think one of the most important questions asked in class was should education or society be equalized? I believe that every child should have an equal opportunity in our society. This is of course idealistic and likely will not happen. However, a child should not be penalized for the economic situation they are born into. Some of the most brilliant minds of our time come from poverty. Likely there are many in poverty today that could make great contributions to our society. Should their voices be silenced simply because they do not have the means to develop as others would. We frequently hear in class of successful people who overcome their hardships and go on to achieve great things. Unfortunately these example are too often the exception to the rule. For every child that comes out of a lower income environment many more remain there because, while they have the desire and often the intelligence, they do not get that same "lucky break." Many work hard and do not succeed. Unfortunately as seen in this article (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/AR2005081901579.html) there are forces that prevent this from happening. The tragic thing in this article is that the school districts are knowingly diverting money away from schools that need it despite laws against such actions.
I think the purpose of education is different for each child and both individually and structurally. I grew up in a working class community. Many of the aspects that Anyon discussed in her article apply to my school. Our learning was rote, copy the notes, take the test, move on to the next subject. It often gave us a feeling of just being given information more for the sake of moving us to the next grade than for actually learning. Many of the students in my school elected to not go to college. While this was given as an option there was a prevailing attitude that many of us would not go to college and would simply join the workforce. This is not to say that we were not given the option of college, it was simply expected that it may not be our first choice. I know many intelligent people who did not go to college, some of which are successful others who have fallen into the cycles of their families working class lives. It is unfortunate to me that those who have so much potential may not be achieving it simply because they were expected to follow in the tracks of those that went before them.
I think the purpose of education is different for each child and both individually and structurally. I grew up in a working class community. Many of the aspects that Anyon discussed in her article apply to my school. Our learning was rote, copy the notes, take the test, move on to the next subject. It often gave us a feeling of just being given information more for the sake of moving us to the next grade than for actually learning. Many of the students in my school elected to not go to college. While this was given as an option there was a prevailing attitude that many of us would not go to college and would simply join the workforce. This is not to say that we were not given the option of college, it was simply expected that it may not be our first choice. I know many intelligent people who did not go to college, some of which are successful others who have fallen into the cycles of their families working class lives. It is unfortunate to me that those who have so much potential may not be achieving it simply because they were expected to follow in the tracks of those that went before them.
5 comments:
Hey Mikey...wait Mike..sorry I need to stop calling all Mikes Mikey! But anywho I agree with what you have said in your blog. I also wonder sometimes though whether people who claim to come from nothing actually really come from nothing. You said in your blog "some of the most brilliant minds of our time come from poverty". I am so happy somebody out there realizes that! Awesome! And also you said something else I absolutely commend you for! "We frequently hear in class of successful people who overcome their hardships and go on to achieve great things". I think people often intertwine overcoming hardships with having "nothing". Yes I have had to overcome hardship in my life...a whole lot of it. But I know that I can not say that I had NOTHING. Like I said in class...there is a difference! I didn't have much but I had something! And majority of the people that were mentioned in class of people who have made it from "nothing" are people who really when you think about it....HAD SOMETHING!!!!
I also agree with you! In fact, I really like what you had to say alot! :) That's why I felt we should level the playing field to see what kinds of greatness we would find amongst those kids who weren't receiving the resources they deserve. Upon further reflection of this however, I developed a question. My question is, "Would those brilliant minds have thought of those things if they hadn't come from poverty, or would they have come up with even more profound things had they had more resources and fewer hardships?" I guess that is completely rhetorical, but it is interesting to think about.
What I am wondering is whether education can be equalized without equalizing society? Education is not independent of society so can we really fully equalize the system if there is no equalization of sorts within the society? I've probably mentioned it before, but if everyone had the same "elite" education, and everyone went on and got their Ph.Ds, etc., that would not guarantee them employment in the States. Perhaps it would level the playing field to an extent as far as at least having an actual change to be considered, but for those who don't get the jobs... then what? Has society/education been equalized for them? Have they learned how to make a living? (Obviously this is extreme b/c motivation also plays into how much education people get and what jobs they strive for, etc. but it's just to serve as illustration.)
John Adams said, "There are two types of education: one should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live." Does our educational system fall into either of those categories? If we equalize education, will everyone then be taught how to make a living? How much of our education has actually taught us how to live?
You said you believe every child should have an equal opportunity in our society. Ideally, this would be fantastic, wouldn't it?! :-D But, is it the education that makes the opportunity equal or the society? I think to some extent, we have to be held responsible for how we use our education as well and for the motivation we have to overcome our hardships and obstacles. I suppose in this sense then, how do we equalize the opportunities for resiliency? Like you, I came from a school where they hoped some students might go to college, but really most of us weren't expected to go. Most would continue to live on farms and be farmers or learn a trade from the technology center. Females, for the most part, were expected to get married and have babies; we weren't really supposed to do anything with our lives -- traditional "working class" thoughts in a sense, I suppose. Fortunately some of us had a few people tell us differently... Like you said before in class, one way of making education better is to build up the community -- which sounds a bit like attempting to semi-equalize the society, does it not? :-D
Mike,
You know, I felt very sad reading this blog entry. The mere thought of the way society is set up to keep working class people in the working class is disturbing. I know all about this Title I money and how difficult it is for schools to use the money in the right way. I have firsthand experience with the whole Title I issue. They delegate the money and say "use it to better your school but you must use it by such and such a date and ONLY in these areas." So the schools are given funds but cannot use it at their discretion. So naturally, corruption takes place and the students suffer as a result. It's truly sad.
The article you posted is very interesting. It is so sad to read that the government is sending more money to the schools in the upper class districts, as opposed to the schools who need the money more. Education must be equalized everywhere because opportunities are being hindered in those schools with less money. Every student deserves the same education in every school district, despite the socioeconomic status they live in.
Post a Comment