Kozol Article - Author's Argument

This author, Jonathan Kozol, argues that the educational system in our country is still separate and very unequal. Segregation, after years of disappating, is on the rise again in our schools. The students of this nation are separated not only by race, but by rich and poor, too. Inner city school systems, with a majority population of people of color and hispanic, correlate with poor building conditions, and lower achievement and test scores. Inner city schools lack in funding to fix problems when they arise. Leaky roofs, limited working bathrooms, rats running around the cafeteria, etc. are just some examples that Kozol referenced when speaking about inner city schools. How can we honestly expect children to learn in such conditions? But, on the other side of the same city, there may be a school with shiny floors, new technology, and smiling faces. How is this possible? How can such a divide exist and what has allowed this crack to become so deep? While Kozol's argument is very clear, the notion that this kind of segregation exists in our very educational system is extremely sad and disheartening. Inner city children, whether white, hispanic, asian, or of color, should NOT be deprived of the tools that can lead to their ultimate success in life. Every child should be given the chance to dream and should be shown the path to making their dreams come true. Kozol spoke of high school students not being able to choose their elective. If it wasn't available, oh well! They were forced to take classes, like Sewing or Hairdressing. One student wanted more for her life, she wanted to be a doctor, wanted to take an AP class and she was told she had to, "Sew." This angered me, as it did Kozol. You cannot tell a child, "You can't." What are we doing? How is this acceptable? And Kozol argues that this would never happen in a rich/middle-upper class society. We need to advocate for inner city children, as Kozol has been doing, and encourage them to make a better life for themselves. We need to use schooling as a means for teaching children how to be healthy, responsible, and respectable citizens of our ever-changing nation. We need to empower them to use what they've learned to make better choices, staying out of trouble and doing good in the world. This is our goal as teachers; we must provide an overall outstanding education to all children. We must encourage goal-setting, listen to our students' goals, and give them the toolkit for building the base for achieving their dreams. I don't know how we will close this segregation gap that is existing today in our schools, but I would like to try. If my teaching of the future youth can be impacted by what Kozol argues and my choices and teaching styles can reflect an awareness for the issues at hand, then I am doing my small part in making a difference for our world.