What’s Really Wrong with America’s school system? ( PART ONE)
The Trump administration has proposed shutting down the Department of Education, with many Republicans supporting this plan. Conservatives argue that reducing federal funding and introducing mandatory Christian studies in K-12 schools will somehow improve test scores. However, this ideology has faced significant criticism from experts who question its practicality and underlying assumptions. In this article, I aim to present a more logical perspective on the issue and explore potential solutions.
America’s public school system is far from perfect. Historically, the Board of Education was not established with the best interests of minority students in mind. Initially, it catered almost exclusively to white children, leaving minority groups marginalized. Today, schools in impoverished areas, often serving predominantly Black and Latino students, struggle to remain staffed and adequately equipped. These schools face chronic issues such as low attendance and poor test scores, reflecting systemic inequities. Yet, dismantling the entire educational system would be far from a quick fix and could exacerbate these disparities.
The inequities of America’s education system are well-documented. A 2014 PBS documentary, Separate and Unequal, sheds light on the ongoing challenges of segregation in public schools. The title, though criticized by some conservatives as "propaganda," accurately captures the reality of today’s system. Importantly, the documentary acknowledges positive strides made, such as racial integration, which has allowed underprivileged students access to higher-quality education that would have been denied during segregation.
Despite these advances, the effects of segregation persist more than sixty years after its supposed end. Children in poverty often face far greater challenges than their peers in wealthier, predominantly white neighborhoods. For example, in Separate and Unequal, the story of Omarina—a young girl whose family’s eviction disrupted her education—illustrates how systemic barriers disproportionately affect minority students.
Desegregation offers clear benefits. A 2019 article by Erica Frankenberg, “What School Segregation Looks Like in the U.S. Today,” highlights that children in diverse schools are less likely to hold stereotypes and more likely to seek varied experiences as adults. However, segregation remains pervasive: white students attend schools that are, on average, 69% white, while Black students attend schools that are 47% Black.
This segregation is often driven by economic disparities tied to property taxes, which fund public schools. Higher-income, predominantly white neighborhoods generate more tax revenue, providing better resources and opportunities for their schools. Meanwhile, schools in lower-income areas, often home to children of color, remain underfunded. This economic divide perpetuates inequality, contradicting claims that the federal government overspends on education.
Efforts like busing students across districts have been insufficient to resolve school segregation. While these measures address surface-level issues, they fail to tackle the deeper, systemic roots of inequality. The goal must be to ensure equal access to high-quality education for all students, regardless of race or socioeconomic status. True equity in education requires a commitment to providing resources, opportunities, and support for every child, bridging the gap between privilege and disadvantage.
