Educational Opportunities in the U.S.

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the problem of providing equal standards in the United States public education system for every child living in the country, regardless of race, religion, or class, as stipulated by law. The paper points out that schools in impoverished, mostly urban areas are far inferior to those in more well-to-do areas. The paper analyzes this phenomenon by closely examining Jonathan Kozol's "Savage Inequalities", a factual look at inner city schools, and the fictional story "The Lesson" by Toni Cade Bambara. The paper concludes that the inequality is due to an unfair allocation of funding, and this in turn makes it much more difficult for underprivileged children to succeed.

From the Paper:

"Another proof of the extreme racism involved is the reaction to every request made to desegregate the school systems. Parents of white children do not want to allow their children to attend schools with the minority children because many of them fear it would lower the level of the education their children receive. Studies have proved that desegregation would actually have the opposite effect because when surrounded by over-achievers, the under-achievers may be inspired to work harder, therefore succeeding more than ever before. That is the true fear of suburban parents, and it is a fear they will not soon admit to. The reason desegregation has not yet occurred is because, naturally, every parent wants what is best for their child, but a school with children of all different backgrounds means ultimately more rivalry in the business world. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bambara, Toni C. "The Lesson." Writing About Literature in the Media Age. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2005.
• Bryan, C. D. B., Review in the New York Times Book Review, October 15, 1972.
• Kozol, Jonathan. Savage Inequalities, Reed Business Informations, Inc., 1991.

More papers on Educational Opportunities in the U.S.:

• Comparison Essay # 21387 : "Women in the U.S. and China"
• Research Paper # 117660 : "The Impact of Hispanic Culture in the U.S."
• Comparison Essay # 99015 : "Women's Education in Jordan and the U.S."

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: