Week 5 - Chapters 6 & 7, Spring Chapters 1 & 2, and Folder 5

"And because it places the greatest obstacles to achievement in the path of those children least advantaged, in American society-poor and minority children-tracking forces schools to play in active role in perpetuating social and economic inequalities as well." (Oakes, pg. 421)

Over the past few weeks it has been more and more clear to me that public school systems, the government, advertising, and big business have indeed played an active role in promoting social and economic inequalities. This semester I am taking an intro to sociology course which strongly ties into what we are talking about in this course.  I'm not too sure if it's a good thing to take EDF 415 and SOC 110 in the same semester for it makes me realize how screwed up the American society is, but on a higher note, I am fascinated by the content in both courses, and I feel that it is important that I am educated about both diversity, racism, public schooling in America, and society in general.  Because of various social institutions: government, public schools, and the work place inequalities still exist.  Because inequality is so immersed into our society many people are ignorant to white privilege and racism.  School systems play an active role in inequality because of the lack of support inner city schools receive.  Here, minorities are given little tools that can get them out of poverty and their social situations.  Unfortunately, inner city students are taught to excel at a test versus given the tools that will help them succeed in life.  We are here to change this mentality and give students what they need to excel in all areas of life.  

"Built to hold 1,800 kids, the school held 3,400.  More than 95 percent of the students were black or Hispanic; 1.5 percent were white." (Kozol, pg. 145)

Isn't this a fire hazard?  Kozol has written a number of times in this book that principles, school faculty and staff, and students have recognized that things like this would never, ever, ever happen in a white school.  Although this is sad, it is true.  As I have told you many times before, I come from Canton a nearly all white suburban town. (a town under "attack" from Dr. Love a couple of times) Overpopulation would never happen there; parents would be all over the administration and the town about expansion of the school.  I showed my friend this quote and her mouth dropped and she said, "Whattttttttt?"  That should never happen, ever.  Why hasn't the government tried to help these schools expand, and provide better education?  Where do you even start?

"Do you think that there are public benefits from education that should override the objections of parents and other citizens regarding the teaching of particular subjects, attitudes, or values?" (Spring, pg. 4)

I know that this quote is meant to be discussed in the rest of chapter 1 but I found that this would be a great question to respond to.  I know that this is a touchy subject for a lot of people but I feel that there are so many public benefits from overriding the objections of parents and other citizens.  For example, teaching about safe sex is so important.  Nowadays, a lot of young people are engaging in intimate relationships and many don't know their options of protection.  The media is endorsing sex because sex sells.  I understand that in most religions they stress "no sex before marriage" but kids are going to hear about it and see it on TV almost everyday.  Kids should know that they have options to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and ways to reduce their chances of getting pregnant.  The public will benefit because we won't have to face overpopulation and citizens will be healthier.  In addition, abortion, evolution, the death penalty, and other topics should be discussed in public schools so children will be educated.  You can't hide your kids from everything, people are curious, they're going to find out one way or another. Schools won't force students to feel a certain way, they will just present the material in a way that students will become knowledgeable.