This article focuses on the achievement gap between the poor
and affluent members of American society. While statistics about education may
not initially seem to be based in the field of economics, the study makes
conclusions concerning social mobility. According to the study, family income
makes a difference in standardized testing and college completion – and the
correlation between income and achievement has increased over recent years. Although
it is possible for a member of the lower class to rise up by chance, it is far
more likely to occur by acquired skills, which can come from a good education.
This reminded me of our discussion in class about a
redistributive government and how income is determined, as well as the article “International
Comparisons of Economic Mobility”. There are many factors that impact income but
acquired skills and effort can be emphasized or developed through a good
education system. This has the potential to change how an individual approaches
life and the workforce.
If American continues with this trend, the impact will
become more obvious through total American human capital. The more educated the workforce, the more innovations
can be made, which can benefit a country as a competitor in the global market. How
can America keep a high academic standard and lessen this achievement gap? Can
it be done with today’s government-economy relationship or does it require a
more centralized system?
7 comments:
I think it's a shame that not everyone has equal educational opportunities. As tuition rates continue to rise, it is going to be harder and harder low income families to afford education unless something is done. This will undoubtedly end up hurting our country in the future, as the education gap continues to widen. With some schools costing more than $70,000 a year, how much is too much to pay for a college education?
It is interesting to see that "income" replaced "race" in determining standardized scores over the past 40 yrs. Standardized scores play an important role in the student's chance of getting into a good college, so this in turn will widen the opportunities inequalities between the rich and the poor. One of the ways, I think, to reduce this gap is to provide more opportunities to students of the poor - free tutoring sessions, music lessons, athletics activities, etc... those opportunities that students of the rich can enjoy (in high schools and earlier stages) because of their higher starting point. Government can also create monetary incentives to the poorer family for making their kids do well in schools. Of course, things are easier said than done.
Yes, it is unfortunate that colleges tuition costs are rising year after year exponentially. The total cost of Ohio Wesleyan was 40,000 when I was a freshmen and now I'm leaving with a bill of $48,000 a year. I work at the Phonathon and I talk to old and young alumni that recall the total cost at OWU, just 10 years ago, was around $35,000. Therefore, costs really have risen quite a bit in the past 10 years.
I'd recommend that the U.S. improves the education system from the bottom-up. It should truly focus on increased education spending for public schools that give kids a chance for good teachers, after school programs, and advanced classes for the smarter kids, and programs that allow students to focus on the sciences and engineering. This program would reward kids who "stick with it" and give them a scholarship to continue their education at college (majoring in the sciences or engineering). I know this may not really reduce the education gap, but it may create new jobs and a greater economy in the future.
I feel as though the importance of an education has become more prominent in recent years. In addition, there has been an increase in demand for elite educational services, while the increase in education supply has come largely from for-profit schools with questionable educational standards. As a result, there is more competition for a few spots at elite schools, both primary and secondary. I feel as though wealthier families have spent an increasing amount of resources, both monetarily and otherwise, ensuring that their children 'get ahead' in the world of higher education. They can do this by buying private education at a younger age, purchasing tutors, putting their kids in test prep courses, etc. In the end, the widening gap may be due more to increased effort by the rich than increased failure of the school system.
I am doing tutor work in a primary school which locates at a comparatively poor neighborhood. It is surprising to me that how different primary schools are, from private to public, from neighborhood to neighborhood. I feel like building a notion of classes and races into children's mind is one of the most cruel thing you can do to them.
In addition, the condition of primary teachers is worth to concern too. This nation definitely need more skilled and educated teachers in public schools. But now because of the low income fewer people would like to do this overwhelming job.
I've definitely become more aware of a gap in education in today's society. I worked with Upward Bound this past summer which gives students who will be first generation college students a head start for the next school year. It was incredible to see just how different their educations were even in the same town, going to the same schools. The opportunities they are given at the program are extremely helpful, but one has to wonder about students who don't have these opportunities to help even the playing field or don't have the time and resources to complete the program (i.e. needing a summer job vs. staying in the program).
The education gap is a true threat the the growth of our economy. We have been able to grow through gains in productivity and this will not be able to continue at a national level unless we have the brain power to make progress is every industry and at every level. Repairing our education will allow for long term progress of our economy in a competitive world wide labor market.
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