Statistics show that poverty and poor education are directly connected. In lower income areas, the education system is not as great as those in higher income areas. A recent article featured on News 12 Long Island touches upon this issue.
http://longisland.news12.com/news/report-students-from-high-income-districts-fare-better-in-school-1.9826281
As we look at the issue here on Long Island, we see a continuing trend. But why is this trend existent? As we look deeper, we see that poverty is a cycle. It all starts with a low income. By not making enough money and living paycheck to paycheck, families are forced to move into low income areas, for example Wyandanch. Since they now live in a low income area, their children are forced to go to school in that area. The education in areas like these are poor for multiple reasons. Teachers prefer not to work in such areas, so there are a limited amount of people willing to work there, there isn't enough funding for specialized teaching, such as extra help or advanced placement courses, etc. Now, all of the students are getting the same educations, which is infringing on their educational expansion and in turn, these kids become under educated as compared to those in other districts. With the lack of a good education, these students either prefer not to go to college or just can't afford it. Without a higher education, they will have to suffer with a low-paying job. This leads back to having a low income and the cycle repeats itself again and again.
It is very hard to climb out of poverty. A solution to help those living in poverty would be to revamp the education system. A higher income all starts with a good education. Without this, people cannot work to their full potential.
The article seen on News 12 should be an eye opener for lawmakers and government officials. Our education system is lagging behind our rapidly growing nation. To assist those in poverty, start with the education.
I completely agree with Ally. Economic, racial, and education inequality is present all over the world, but especially seen on Long Island. Long Island ranks 10th in the nation in residential segregation between blacks and whites, higher than Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. The town of Manorville is 89.0% White, 6.6%Hispanic, and 1.6% Black. Many towns like Manorville have entire school districts are segregated from one another, creating regional high schools of excellence. This thwarts young kid’s education and mocks our belief of equal opportunity, which in the end threatens our future. Wealthier schools are able to offer students wider selections of courses, better teachers and more access to opportunities, while poorer districts are not. The inequalities throughout Long Island are increasing and it is not only in education.
ReplyDeleteAfter the recent recession, Long Island was left with damage economically and socially. There was less employment growth and a new normal of lower-paying temporary jobs. For the class of 2009 and beyond, 20,000 college graduates of long island will find it difficult to find employment in a job market resulting from the Great Recession. The characteristics of the declining economy of Long Island are an aging population, high taxes, a shrinking manufacturing, base and car-oriented neighborhoods full of single-family homes that are increasingly unattractive to young people. There are numerous solutions to these growing problems, and the government need so to act swiftly. The first place to start is in employment and families. The minimum wage on Long Island is currently $8.00 an hour but if it is raised to $10.10 an hour, this will positively affect 1,705,800 people by raising the earnings for millions of workers, and boosting the bottom lines of businesses across the country. Also, we need to make it possible for woman to be able to take time off of work for pregnancy or taking care of their children without being fired or limiting their lifetime earnings and pushing them into bankruptcy. Researchers believe that if apprenticeships expand their will be more employment for trained unemployed college graduates. Some politicians want to begin the changes with toddlers by increasing access to high-quality preschool. Researchers estimate that half of the achievement gap in high school can be attributed to children’s experiences before age 5. But it does not end with the young children and adults of society, it has to continue with our elders. Economic inequality continues into retirement and about half of all workers don’t have a retirement plan and receive very little money. There is inequality all throughout every part of our country and it needs to change. We need to speak up and elect representatives of our government that will be able to make these alterations and prepare us for a better future.