What is the Purpose of Schools? Who are marginalized students in schools and what do they need from our school system?
Just like it is stated in the Education Code, the purpose of public schools "is to ensure that all Texas children have access to a quality education" (Sec. 4.001). It is a way to better our children and provide them with necessary things they may need for the future. Most jobs that will provide a large enough salary to live on require the employee to have some sort of education. Schools are there to make this possible and teach kids at a young age basic skills and proper communication techniques. Schools are a stepping stone towards the future.
The marginalized students in schools are mainly the people coming from poorer backgrounds. The area they live in may not have the right resources, teachers, or funds to make a suitable environment for learning. The school system needs to accommodate these students and their arrangements so they do not end up being at fault for something they could not control. Since education plays such a big role in future jobs, a person who went to a fancy private school would have a major advantage then someone who went to a small, underfunded public school. As Michael Cross and Vivian Atinde state in their article, "marginalization can be by virtue of being black, originating from poor families and...includes gender (308). Overall, I think the marginalized students in schools are the ones that come from poor families, minority races and women. While as of today we have come a long way in incorporating and providing a fairly well education for all, sometimes you can still see these other students being pushed aside. I think that having all sorts of kids from different races and backgrounds is a good way to learn about different experiences and cultures so, even though they may seem to be marginalized, I think these students play a big role in school systems.
Hey Maya, I definitely agree with you that the marginalized students in our schools mostly come from the poor family backgrounds. I also agree that having students from diverse backgrounds will help other children learn about their experiences and that having these students plays a big role in our classrooms. I believe as teachers we need to help those children succeed and flourish within the classroom and not let other's tear them down because of who they are.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! I agree 100% that teachers within the classroom need to help kids flourish and not tear them down.
DeleteHi Maya! Although i agree with your reason on what is the purpose of public schools, I also believe that it is way more to it than any of us realize. I like how you mentioned having different races in your class can be a good learning experience for other classmates who may not know anything of their culture. If teachers have not already, they should branch out to other students cultures and incorporate them in their lessons.
ReplyDeleteHi Maya! I agree that school's must do a better job in accommodating these students that may not have as many advantages as the rest of us. Something I thought about while reading your post was about how in areas like San Marcos, certain schools are so underfunded and they are desperate for substitute teachers that they will take just about anyone. This kind of system really effects our students in ways we may not realize, having the sporadic environment that can come from that kind of situation with no stability and no real consistent material within the lectures. Just as you were pointing our the advantages that can come from students in better areas and go to private schools, may not have to deal with such systems.
ReplyDeleteI agree! We are at such a shortage for teachers and I think that this will really start impacting the kids and their education.
DeleteHi Maya! I agree that it is important that all children have access to quality education. As teachers, we need to be there to provide our students with just that. I also agree that a student's future starts in school. What they learn in school will carry them throughout their entire life. I think a big issue is students in underfunded areas not getting the same access to education as those in the more wealthy areas. All students should have access to the same education. I also agree that students coming from different cultures, backgrounds, economic statuses, and more provide schools with diversity. This diversity prepares students for what they will face after they graduate. What are some ways we can bridge this gap between lower income and higher income areas to provide all students with equal education? Thank you for posting this blog! It has given me a lot to think about.
ReplyDeleteI like how you added the article because I definitely think that schools can find the funds to help teach kids the basic necessities needed for the future.
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ReplyDeleteHi Maya! I completely agree with you that schools are a stepping stone towards the future. I would say that education therefore schools are what upholds our society. Like you said it is primitive that we as teachers do everything in our power to make sure all students receive a quality education. I think it is important to acknowledge we as teachers do not have the power to entirely end the inequities in the education system. However it is our duty as teachers to do everything we can that all of our students in out future classroom no matter religion, race, socioeconomic status. They need to feel as though we as teachers value them and want to provide them with the best education as possible. Like you said students according to the Education Code the purpose of public schools is to ensure ALL Texas children have a quality education. In your Blog you said that areas where marginalised students live may not have the right teachers to create a suitable learning environment. I would argue that the teachers in these areas are not the issue. Rather they face certain challenges teachers working in areas where the students are higher income and not very diverse do not face. I completely agree with you that education can play a big role in whether a child will succeed in the future.
ReplyDeleteHello Maya I totally agree with you this is how you build culture within the schools and relationships with the students. Schools are how our future is going to continue to prosper and build on top of prior knowledge from previous generations. And I personally do not think it’s fair that public schools have a bad identity when a lot of people can not afford to give their kids the lavish learning that the more privileged white kids have. But as future teachers we have to speak up about these things and hope that one day things will get better for the education system.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie Woods Commented with Anonymous
DeleteHi Maya, I agree that kids from poorer backgrounds are often marginalized and get the short end of the stick in some ways. I like how you ended on a positive note though because I think there are definitely advantages of empathizing with those people and trying to better understand how they can be a catalyst for making our school systems better accommodating and fair for all types of children to get an equal education.
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