Inequality as a Block to Education and High Quality of Life Essay Example

low-income backgrounds continue to face persistent challenges in accessing quality education.

According to Edelman (2014), poverty can have detrimental effects on a person's well-being, including their neurological and psychological health. It also hampers educational outcomes in children and negatively impacts child development. Edelman emphasizes the need to build resilience to overcome the challenges associated with poverty. The article "A War on Children" (2014) quotes Edelman expressing shame and moral concern about the existence of 16.1 million poor children, with over 7 million living in extreme poverty, in the wealthiest country on Earth. This highlights the significant economic threat posed by such high levels of poverty.

Despite not experiencing a shortage of funds, our main concern lies in the values and priorities we hold. When collaborating with the government to establish priorities, it is vital for individuals to concentrate on matters that truly make a difference. Although numerous children have witnessed improvements in their lives over the past five decades, it remains crucial for the government to continually enhance and ensure fairness in its approach towards education, especially for underprivileged children. Policymakers, parents, educators, and all stakeholders must generate innovative ideas and approaches to tackle educational inequality, overcome obstacles that may seem counter-intuitive to student achievement, and develop well-reasoned perspectives and solutions for bringing about change. School districts should introduce new frameworks for understanding these issues while offering practical strategies to address them both in the short term and long term.

Regrettably, there is inequality present wherein certain individuals experience greater advantages than others. The problem does not pertain to one school being better than another but rather the systemic deprivation of a quality education to specific groups of

American children. These marginalized minorities encounter obstacles in competing in the job market and attaining equal opportunities as their peers, impeding their pursuit of the American dream. The vital factors are guaranteeing equal access to education for all children and having teachers who are motivated. It is imperative to foster a child's curiosity, aspirations, and willingness to exert the necessary effort.

School committees should prioritize the recruitment of highly qualified and educated teachers who possess qualities that can contribute to a child’s achievement. Moreover, racial inequalities lead to inequitable opportunities for education. The student's race plays a significant role in their ability to receive quality education. The race factor directly impacts various aspects of schools in the United States, including policies, funding, and curriculum. Typically, schools located in impoverished areas are closely associated with minority communities.

In the history of the United States of America, racial segregation was initially accepted in society. Academic institutions also practiced and accepted racial segregation, leading to educational disparities between races. The lack of cultural representation in textbooks further alienates minority youth from school, devaluing their culture and experiences (Henderson, 2014). Over time, challenges arose that questioned the societal limitations of segregation and its impact on daily life. Racism remains a persistent barrier that actively affects everyday life globally.

According to Ralph Ellison (1952), as cited in Henderson (2014), he states that "I am invisible; understand, simply because people refuse to see me." Despite a decrease in racial tensions, prejudice continues to exist and has negative consequences for low-income and minority students. School personnel are typically employed by the school district or a contracted agency that provides services to the district (Code of

Ethics, 2017). To avoid conflicts between cultures, it would be beneficial for a school social worker to provide teachers with resources on understanding their students' cultural backgrounds. Moreover, it is crucial for teachers to receive after-school training on cultural competency. Additionally, the school social worker can educate students and contribute to creating a safe environment.

Perhaps the implementation of field trips, led by a school social worker, to explore their own culture could be considered. There exist various actions that educators, like school social workers, can undertake to enhance their service, support, and education for economically disadvantaged students. These recommendations have been consistently discussed in my extensive research on this matter from various sources. The initial step involves dedicating time to personally get to know the students, engaging in dialogue and understanding their thought process.

Encourage the children to speak first in order to alleviate their nervousness. Take the time to understand the child as a whole. Demonstrate active listening skills by repeating and restating their words. Another strategy is to appreciate and honor the student, treating them with respect. Persuade them of their significance and demonstrate how their skills contribute to the classroom and beyond.

Reward children by praising their achievements and letting them know they are equal, even if they may not have the same chances to participate in a music class due to financial constraints. Assure them that it's okay and inform them that there are resources available for alternative activities. Provide opportunities for exposure to various experiences and relate these experiences to real-life situations.

Enhance their understanding of the world. Participate in virtual and real field trips to broaden cultural awareness. Take part in authentic

tasks and explore classic literature. Finally, set high expectations.

Let's collaborate to make a difference by requesting anonymous donations and implementing a shared supply system instead of asking for payment. We can also involve our school's partners and local businesses for financial support.

As social workers in the school system, our objective is to encourage the curiosity of young minds, build trust, and ignite a passion for learning (Code of Ethics). We are dedicated to assisting low-income children by enhancing their confidence in academic, social, emotional, and physical aspects through various means. Our goal is to foster a desire for knowledge and establish the groundwork for achievement. Moreover, we can establish a secure and nurturing environment that promotes comprehensive development and active learning. Furthermore, we possess the capability to connect parents with resources for unemployment, creating opportunities for new training or financial stability. As a result, this enhances educational resources available within their households.

It is essential to guarantee equal opportunity for every child and safeguard them from unjust treatment. Privilege pertains to the advantages and benefits possessed exclusively by specific individuals or groups, leaving others without these advantages. Within society, the majority group consists of a larger population, while the minority group has fewer members. Social workers possess the ability to improve the economic status of dominant groups while simultaneously addressing discriminatory obstacles encountered by marginalized groups.

A social worker can concentrate on reducing the disparity in educational attainment by offering minorities improved education. For instance, privilege may include having enough money to access a costly education through government grants. Being knowledgeable about one's own cultural heritage and being proficient in multiple languages can provide an advantage to

students who only speak English. Additionally, having more leaders from their own race and being recognized by peers at school can also be considered a cultural privilege. Thus, it is important to treat people differently since they have diverse needs.

Regardless of race, respect, high expectations, opportunity, or dignity, it empowers all members of a society to provide others with what they rightfully deserve.