Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Conclusion

Reading "Savage Inequalities" has really opened my eyes to the disadvantages of low income schools. I have learned a lot about specific schools that Kozol wrote about, but mainly how unfair the education system really is to these students. The different situations that they have to deal with on a daily basis seems like it is way too much for a young child to handle; helping out a younger brother, working at a young age, or taking care of their family. Not only are they somewhat robbed of a childhood at home, but they are not given the educational opportunities that they should be given. I have also learned how important it is for me to understand their backgrounds and make adjustments where it will be needed. Making adjustments will also be important when I am placed in a school where they can't afford to buy enough books for each student. Although they have funding, it isn't nearly enough. Kozol has showed me that we still have a very segregated education system and not much is being done about it. It's unfortunate that these students are treated like they don't matter; by not providing them with proper materials, we tell them that they aren't important to us. This book has really made me see the areas that our education system needs to improve, but also has given me a challenge to try and help in any way that I can.

I still have a lot of questions about diverstiy after reading this book, honestly I think I may have more at this point. Is there a reason that this situation of inequality in funds is compeltely ignored? I don't understand how people aren't outraged at the disadvantages given to these students. Perhaps they are outraged, but they don't have enough of a voice to speak out loud enough for everyone to hear. Also, what can I do as a white teacher to make sure my students are comfortable with me? I don't want them to think I'm there to judge them in any way, I hope that I can exemplify that through the way I interact with them. My main question is, what can I do to help? After reading this book I want to go through to every school that is struggling financially and help in any way possible. I know that's unrealistic, but I do wonder what I can personally do to help this situation.

After reading this book, I see I have a lot more to learn. I would like to read more about understanding diversity in the classroom. Something else I definitely need to educate myself on is the distribution of funds in Illinois public school system. I don't want to be ignorant to these types of situations, so I'm going to do what I can to grow professionally. Lastly, talking about these situations with cooperating teachers, professors, and other people in the education field with experience will help give me a better understanding of how to handle situations.

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