Topic TWELVE: School Reinforces Inequality

by - January 21, 2022

 


In this topic, I am attracted to the sub-topic "Home environment affect student's education". It is true that parental education influences the learning progress of children at school. For example, educated parents can provide their children with advices regarding academic matters and career paths since they have already gone through the same education process. Most educated parents also has a good relationship with their children in which they can change ideas among themselves and listen to their child's opinion on education.

Unlike, less-educated parents, they tend to put less effort of monitoring their children's academic achievement. For them, getting stable jobs and incomes are their main priority. Pursuing study in higher education only cause them to spend more money rather than saving it. Hence, the children tend to drop out from school at such young ages or their education level only stopped at lower secondary school.

Aside from family socioeconomic status, the role of school also influences the students' determination to do well in education. However, school can also become the first unit that reinforces inequality between rich and poor students. The main question is 'How do school reinforces inequality among students?'.

Firstly, through tracking system. Tracking is segregating students into different classrooms based upon their academic ability. The tracking system was used for teachers to provide them with a level of curriculum and instruction that is appropriate their needs. In short, students were divided into separated classes according to their level of academic which bring more disadvantages for them, as they cannot improve themselves. In the end of the day, students with lower socioeconomic status ended up in vocational and remedial tracks as well as students with ethnic minority-background. 

Lastly, through ability grouping system in primary school, which use a similar concept with tracking system. However, teachers usually use it for reading and Mathematic subjects. Ability Grouping can be defined as an educational approach that places students in groups based on academic achievement. As a result, students may develop low self-esteem and have a mindset of getting average score as their maximum target. 

To recapitulate, all authorities should play their roles in reducing inequality of education so that every students get the opportunity to succeed in future.





You May Also Like

0 comments