Savage inequalities essay

The Savage Inequalities of Public Education in New York (A summary and personal reflection of chapter 3 from Savage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol

Jonathan Kozol supports the belief that poor children in America 's inner city

public schools are denied the means of competition and nowhere is this pattern of

denial more explicit or absolute than in the public schools of New York City (Kozol , 1991 ,

.83

Kozol highlights the obvious difference in per pupil spending in New York City

and the surrounding suburbs , pointing out that the schools

attended by mostly poor

minority students receive the least amount of funding . These schools also tend to have

the least qualified teachers and poor working conditions . There is also a problem with

overcrowded classrooms . For , example , in one school , four kindergartens and a sixth

grade class of Spanish-speaking children have been packed into a single room (p .86

In addition , the school lacks adequate books and supplies . Some children have to share basic textbooks , the library does not have reference books , and the school has

only 26 computers for well-over a thousand children (Kozol , 1991

Even worse , there is a lack of support staff . Children experiencing academic

or social difficulties have little or no access to the counselor . There is a ratio of 930

children to one counselor (p .86

Kozol and others educators assert that these types of conditions would never

occur in a predominately white , middle-class school . However , these deplorable

conditions are all too common in the public schools attended mainly by poor , minority

children . Teachers , parents and children are all aware of the unfairness of the situation

and the racial segregation that seems to perpetuate the problem . The enrollment

register reflects the demographics of continued racial segregation Of the students in

this school , 38 percent are black , and 62 percent Hispanic . There are no white children

in the building (p .103

There does not appear to be a sense of in New

York City 's inner city schools . However , America as a country needs to pay attention

to the crises in the public school system . How will we be able to compete in the global

society , when large numbers of our citizens are not receiving a quality education ? And

why our we refusing to improve the situation ? Without making sure that all children

have an opportunity to learn , and develop into responsible citizens we will surely face

a challenging future as a nation . When large numbers of school children grow up to

become members of society and they are illiterate and unable to take care of themselves

we will all bear the burden of supporting them through higher taxes violence , and crime

I often wonder if most Americans are napve enough to believe that everyone has equal

opportunities , or if we simply prefer to ignore the obvious . As a society we are failing to

ensure that all children receive the foundation necessary to become successful adults

Reference

Kozol , J (1991 . Savage Inequalities : Children in America 's Schools...