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Our Social Reality of Educational Inequalities Continue to Affect Specific Groups More Dramatically
In my life, I have witnessed many patterns in my social world that seem so entrenched that they appear to be immovable objects. I know schools in wealthier areas near me that thrive while those in lower-income communities continue to struggle…this is, of course, nothing new.
Educational inequities in the American education system remain a stark reality few truly understand and is impossible to ignore.
I recently participated in a sociology class that challenged me to see how systemic factors…particularly funding models based on local property taxes in Chicago…can perpetuate this cycle of disadvantage. We talked a lot in class…and during our discussions, we regularly examined how these disparities affect test scores, graduation rates, and ripple out into every aspect of life.
A student raised in an underfunded school system may not have access to Advanced Placement courses, extracurricular activities, or college counseling. Lacking access to these forms social and cultural capital can limits available opportunities to pursue higher education, often trapping them in the same economic conditions they were born into.
