American Education System Essay Example

Introduction

The United States education system has undergone numerous changes in practice, accessibility, and equity over the course of its history. Throughout its existence, education in America has become more efficient, available, and inclusive. Desegregation was one of the most crucial measures taken to reform the American education system. This process required significant effort and fighting to make it a reality. Although segregation is no longer practiced in the United States, its consequences are evident in the public education system. Racism lingers in the way that school districts are zoned and funded and in the way that the civil rights era is taught. The best way to combat this racism is to adequately teach young students a truthful version of the past without excluding the harsh and violent details that were a part of it.

Historical Background

Under the leadership of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the United States experienced significant social reform, particularly in the realm of equality and civil rights. Amid these social changes in the 1950s, the supreme court outlawed segregation in public school systems. The court case is known as “Brown v Board of Education”. This supreme court decision overruled the previous idea of “separate but equal”, determined by the 1896 case of “Plessy v Ferguson”. In this 1954 case, the Brown family of Topeka, Kansas believed it was unconstitutional that the nearest public school refused to enroll their daughter because of her race and expected her to travel far to attend the school for African American children. The Supreme court unanimously sided with the Brown family, which ultimately outlawed segregation in public schools. Although segregation in schools was deemed “unconstitutional” by the Supreme Court, many citizens starkly opposed this decision, particularly those in southern states (Patterson, 2010). This opposition lead to heavy discrimination and racism in public schools that can still be seen to this day.

Although desegregation was a step towards racial equality in America, this process was not simply a legal change. Desegregation seemingly provided all children with equal learning opportunities, however, due to racial biases, there were many cons to this process. In black schools, although disproportionally funded, students did not feel unwanted or out of place in these institutions. A former student of a black public school recalls that “the teachers truly cared” and “believed in our capabilities” (Lund, 2019). However, in integrated schools, the teachers did not sympathize with or understand the black students’ history as teachers in black schools did, which led to the students feeling out of place and unwanted. Lynch public school teacher Clara Clements stated, “We gained what we wanted, but lost what we had” (Lund, 2019). In this statement, Clements recognizes the progression towards equality while also acknowledging the negative impacts it could have on black students and their well-being.

Contemporary Application:

Although traditional race-based segregation is no longer present in the US, its effects may still be seen in many aspects of modern society. One consequence of segregation in America is the way in which school districts are zoned and the policies surrounding this zoning. Many schools use race-neutral zoning policies to avoid being accused of discrimination (Bierbaum, 2021). Public schools tend to be relatively divided because the zoning process ignores race and fails to recognize the social and economic inequalities experienced by African American citizens (Baum-Snow, Nathaniel, and Byron F. Lutz, 2008). This can lead to somewhat segregated school districts, despite the laws against it. By ignoring race and taking a “color-blind” approach, organizations are able to “maintain legitimacy and appear neutral or even progressive while doing little to intervene in pervasive patterns of racial inequality” (Bierbaum 7). Essentially, this makes it challenging for children from low-income households to advance financially if they continue to attend underfunded institutions. Although it is unconstitutional, America’s previous practice of segregation continues to impact the modern education system.

Recommendations:

One of the best ways to combat continued racism is to properly educate students on the history of racism and civil rights in this country. Because students develop a large portion of their viewpoints and positions during their time in school, it is critical that they have a thorough and accurate understanding of the past. Failure to adequately educate students might result in ignorance and a distorted view of the past. In her academic journal, Yonghee acknowledges that, in contrast to purely factual or historical teachings, " narratives are created by members and align with their own stories", often making it challenging to teach history accurately (Suh 2021). Suh also recognizes that the curriculum is often “reluctant to show depictions of violence, unwilling to confront issues of white supremacy, and tends to frame the civil rights movement as a story of progress and victory” (Suh 2021). These distorted versions of history can often lead to false biases and can encourage racism.  By omitting the true details of the civil rights era in school curriculums, society’s understanding of the fight for equality and racial injustices will be incomplete. Without accurate knowledge of both sides of the civil rights fight, the nation risks regressing back to pre-civil rights era beliefs and understandings of race.

Personal Connection:

Over the past century, the teaching profession has undergone many changes in practice, pay, and opportunity. As an aspiring teacher, I believe that it is very important to understand the complete history of the profession and the positives and negatives of its impact. One of the most important aspects of the American education system’s history is integration and end to segregation. Desegregation altered the public school experience for many students and was one of the first steps toward equality for African American students. Through my research on desegregation, I have been able to recognize its modern implications in the education system. This is very important to me as an aspiring teacher, as I will be working in the school system, and desire to understand its history. In my research, I also discovered the value of a true and complete understanding of the past. As a teacher, I hope to truthfully equip my students with knowledge of the past so that they can make conclusions about the implications of historical events on modern society.