Our Education System is Failing Low-Income Students

“The schools are a disturbing reflection of New York City’s stark racial and socioeconomic divisions.”

“We did not walk to school or get dropped off by our parents on their way to work. We showed up in a yellow bus, visitors in someone else’s neighborhood, and were whisked back across the bridge each day as soon as the bell rang.”

“I remember those years as emotionally and socially fraught, but also as academically stimulating and world-expanding”

What?
The dilemma Hannah-Jones faces is basically the title of her article, Choosing a School for My Daughter in a Segregated City. She has this dilemma because she wants to find a good school for her 4-year-old daughter to attend as any mother would. Hannah-Jones says “I remember those years as emotionally and socially fraught, but also as academically stimulating and world-expanding.” Even though she felt like an outsider going to a rich “white” school, she would not have had the education she has now if she did not go to Kingsley Elementary school. The structural issues that limit the choices for so many and create unequal education opportunities for so many people is, unfortunately the color of their skin. Because people of color tend to make less and live in poorer communities, they are not able to provide as much for schools (School Segregation). “The schools are a disturbing reflection of New York City’s stark racial and socioeconomic divisions.” This quote is an example of the systemic issues these people face. There is not enough money put into these schools which makes them unsuccessful and nonbeneficial to the students. Hannah-Jones expresses from experience that low-income schools are least likely to have “experienced teachers, advanced courses, instructional materials and adequate facilities, according to the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.”

So What?
I believe Hannah-Jones motivates individuals and groups to struggle against the status quo to identify and expose unjust structures in hopes of creating a more just society. She shows this activism by being the first person to do the opposite of what other parents have been doing for their children, which is sending their kids to integrated schools. “Putting our child into a segregated school would not integrate it racially, but we are middle-class and would, at least, help to integrate it economically.” Hannah-Jones decided to take matters into her own hands in order to help with the school segregation, and I believe this be very courageous and amazing.” The students at my community partner site are impacted by the structural issue of school segregation. Although AVID is an excellent program I that I believe is needed for the kids at my community partner, it does not include every child who is struggling with income or home life or social status to join. Some kids are left behind because they do not fully fit the criteria. Because the majority of the students that I work with live in the canal, they are required to go to this school. Essentially they are limited options for schools because they can not just move to a better area for a school. However, I’m glad this program was instilled at this school in order to motivate these kids that they can become something with the power of an education.

Now What?
The points that I found particularly interesting in Hannah-Jones’ articles wash how she finds herself in the same position as her mother trying to find a good school for her daughter. The report that I looked at is the NYC Data on test results, graduation results, etc. It is important that Hannah-Jones does her research and includes facts because people do not listen if there isn’t proof or something they can relate to. Hannah-Jones’ article helped me better understand the structural issues that we have been discussing, because it really shows how kids in low-income areas are given a terrible education. In class, we heard a podcast of school segregation, which is similar to Hannah-Jones’ situation with her daughter. The articles and podcast really opened my eyes to how school systems are failing kids because of lack of funds.