The Dream Act

In this video clip, university students discuss The Dream Act, which has not yet been passed by Congress.  However, The Dream Act addresses part of the inequalities in education.  Its purpose is provide college-level education to illegal immigrants, while giving them residency in the country.



Educational Inequalities and Children's Life Chances

Hiro Yoshikawa, professor and author, discusses his published book on educational inequalities and children's life chances.  Among panelists, Yoshikawa discusses how rising family income inequalities is affecting the educational attainment and future job prospects for their children.  The current public education system is undermining its number one goal: to provide children with an equal change at academic and economic success.

Educational Inequalities Even Exist in "Liberal" New York

New York is considered one of the most educationally segregated states in the country.  If you're rich, you can send your child to an affluent private school, and if you're poor you have to send your child to an inadequate public school.  Most of the affluent schools are such because parents are able to make large monetary contributions, and these schools largely serve the wealthy's interests.  Public schools in New York are suffering from numerous issues, including adequate space.  Currently 43% of New York public schools suffer from overcrowding and space issues.  And those issues are not going to be resolved anytime soon.  Largly, minority and English-language learners are the ones who suffer the most from these inadequate publich schools.

A Failing Education System Due to Poverty or Bad Teachers?

In this video, Diane Ravitch, a professor and author, is lecturing at Duke University.  After watching the movie Waiting for Superman, Ravitch opposed most of the views presented in the movie.  According to Ravitch, poverty, not bad or lazy teachers, is what is accountable for our nation's failing schools.

U.S. Supreme Court and Race in College Admissions

http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/21/justice/scotus-race-policy/index.html?iref=allsearch

In early 2013, the Supreme Court will decide whether using race in college admissions at The University of Texas is constitutional.  The Court will decide if using race-conscious admission policies violate the rights of white applicants. 

"Using race in admissions decisions, to achieve diversity, amounts to stereotyping people by their race," said Joshua Thompson of the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation, which filed a legal brief in support of Fisher. "Racial diversity in a student body does not guarantee a diversity of experience and perspectives. It is unrealistic and wrong to try to pigeonhole people by their race."

The University released the following statement: "We must have the flexibility to consider each applicant's unique experiences and background so we can provide the best environment in which to educate and train the students who will be our nation's future leaders."

An Outdated Education System?

This video presents a view point that our current education system is outdated.  There is a disconnect between this outdated system and contemporary social realities, as the system was developed during the Industrial Revolution.  Currently, this system privileges a few, but alienates the vast majority of students.  Additionally, ADHD is presented as a "fictitious epidemic" and that students are really just bored in school.  Lastly, a paradigm shift in education is presented as a solution to the outdated system.  The new paradigm should encourage thinking and reconceptualize human capacity.

Should Ethnic Studies be Taught in Schools?

Tom Horne, Arizona Superintendent, and Michael Eric Dyson, a sociologist, debate whether ethnic studies should be taught in schools.  Horne is against providing classes about the history of specific races and ethnicities because the study of oppression causes negative feelings within students.  Dyson, on the other hand, is for providing classes about the history of specific races and ethnicities because it provides truth to American history.

Should Race be a Factor in College Admissions?

http://www.ksat.com/Should-race-be-a-factor-in-college-admissions/-/478556/8786244/-/337rqsz/-/index.html

A recent court case is putting affirmative action back in the spotlight.  Several African American and Latino students in California are hoping the court will allow universities to consider race in college admissions.  Currently, due to Proposition 209, California universities do not consider race as a deciding factor in college admissions.

The students who filed the case argue that the high schools they attended didn't adequately prepare them for admission standards.  They believe that allowing affirmative action will increase the number of minority students on state campuses.

The Rich v. The Poor

Despite desegregation acts of the 1960s (allowing African Americans to learn alongside their White counterparts), school segregation by socioecomonic status has taken its place.  The population of poorer schools mainly consists of minority children, while the population of richer schools mainly consists of White children.  Considering the images in the above clip, does the right to education seem equal?