Education and Society: Addressing Inequality in Public Schools

This essay delves into the critical issue of inequality within the American public school system in the 21st century. It highlights the discrepancies arising from factors like local property tax-based funding, leading to significant disparities between wealthier and poorer districts. The essay also examines the 'charter school' movement as a potential approach to improving school systems, while emphasizing the need for these schools to focus on serving minority and high-poverty populations. Ultimately, the essay calls for government intervention and societal support to address inequality and promote a fairer education system for all students.

Education and society in the 21st
century

Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Thesis statement..........................................................................................................................................2
Inequality in the American public school system........................................................................................2
“Charter school" movement.........................................................................................................................3
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................4
References...................................................................................................................................................5
1

Introduction
The education system should be regulated by the government of a nation appropriately and
fairly. The equality should be maintained in the education system which is important for the
welfare of the society. The structure of the school imposes a significant impact on the
inequalities at the school and it becomes significant to distinguish between the impacts of
economic-socio context underlying the school system(Schwenkenberg&VanderHoff, 2014).
Thesis statement
The existence of inequality in the American public school system is the major concern for the
government.
Inequality in the American public school system
Inequality and discrimination are considered to be the primary issues and concern in the
American public school system. The analysis depicted that 87% of the public school enrollment
consisted of black and 10% white in the year 2002-2003. The political leaders were responsible
for the changes and inequalities in the public school system. The management team of the school
is also responsible for the inequality in the school system.
The discrepancies are considered to be occurring due to the primary reason as the school is
considered to be administered and run down by the local cities and town which are primarily
funded by the local property taxes. In several areas where the collection of taxes is low due to the
high poverty areas which cannot raise enough capital to run down the public school(Featherman,
Hall &Krislov, n.d.). The public school system is running under unconstitutional that result in the
discrepancies and inequality within the public school system. The primary reason is due to the
2

difference between the wealthier and poorer district which is existing in the school system. This
is also due to the reason for the education is provided on behalf of the paid capital amount by the
students. It is also seen that the education system available in the district is not enough to teach
the student effectively and efficiently. Despite the overall widespread of the key acceptance of
mandatory public education by the end of the century, the primary concern is related to the
responsibility of educating the student and ensuring equality (KOZOL, 2005). Education is
considered to be deeply uneven and unequal in the American public school system, with the
student in the poverty-hit district seems to be performing at par level for several grades
compared to those children residing in the wealthier district. The primary reason behind the
inappropriate management of American public school system is that the federal, states and local
program are focusing on earning money (Allen, 2011).
“Charter school" movement
Charter school is considered to be most appropriate approach for improving the school systems
within the United States. The problem is that the increase in the inequality in the public school
system of US is due inappropriate school systems and structures. The charter schools function
under charters and agreements that allow the schools for functioning in different ways by not
placing any constraints on the public schools(Thomas, 2012). The charter school allows the
public schools in US to function without any restrictions but it can lead to negative impact on the
educational results. However, the charter school can be considered as the most appropriate
approach in improving the public school system in US. The charter school should put focus on
the significant areas in order to improve the school system. The charter school needs to serve
minority population and high poverty population because these schools are only serving the
English language students and learners with special needs. Minority population and high poverty
3

population are the most challenging groups that face problems in public schools. The children
living in inappropriate condition and with different color need to be provided with equal
opportunity in the schools.The charter schoolhas the power for manipulating the students and
serving in an appropriate manner. The charter school can play a significant role in improving the
public school system as well as providing equal opportunities to them. The charter school is
based on the experimentation approaches which will enhance the efficiency of the processes
(Thomas, 2012). The support can be provided to the students which will lead to improvement of
the systems and processes.
Conclusion
The government of United States should implement appropriate rules and regulations in order to
improve the inequality factors within the public school system(LIFEROV & KOSTIKOVA,
2017). It is also the responsibility of the people of the society to support equality in the public
school system.
4

References
Allen, F. (2011). Education. London: Whitechapel Gallery.
Featherman, D., Hall, M., &Krislov, M. The next twenty-five years˜œ .
KOZOL, J. (2005). Jonathan Kozol: Still Separate, Still Unequal. Retrieved from
http://gayleturner.net/kozol.html
LIFEROV, A., & KOSTIKOVA, L. (2017).RUSSIAN HIGHER EDUCATION MEETING
CHALLENGES OF 21ST CENTURY LABOUR MARKET. International Journal For
21St Century Education, 4(Special), 51. doi: 10.21071/ij21ce.v4ispecial.10392
Schwenkenberg, J., &VanderHoff, J. (2014). WHY DO CHARTER SCHOOLS FAIL? AN
ANALYSIS OF CHARTER SCHOOL SURVIVAL IN NEW JERSEY. Contemporary
Economic Policy, 33(2), 300-314. doi: 10.1111/coep.12068
Thomas, P. (2012). Charter Schools Not the Answer, Especially if We Fail to Identify the
Question. Https://Www.Dailykos.Com/Stories/, 2012/03/16(1074948). Retrieved from
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2012/03/16/1074948/-Charter-Schools-Not-the-Answer-
Especially-if-We-Fail-to-Identify-the-Question
5