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Class and Educational Achievement

Society commonly denies the social impact of class on educational achievement. Talent and intelligence supposedly are the chief determinants of success or failure. Several schools in North Carolina, however, not only acknowledge the relevance of class, they have taken positive steps to reduce social inequity.

Much has been written about the gap in spending between low income and upper income school districts on measures like per-pupil funding. School districts in wealthy suburbs often outspend inner city school systems at ratios from 1.5:1 to 2:1 (Slavin, 1998, p. 7). Vast discrepancies are even apparent within school districts. In New York City per-pupil spending was $5,590 compared with $11,370 in wealthier Manhasset (Kozol, 1991, p. 120). Low income schools also have higher needs such as special education classes and security measures. Critics of equalized funding for schools contend that increased spending does not necessarily translate into higher educational achievement, and to some extent this is true. However, the gaps in school spending exacerbate already unacceptably wide differences in achievement based on social class.

Parental involvement is an important component of social inequity in schools. Much of school funding is based on property tax revenue. Parents, in their role as taxpayers, have a large say in how much their communities spend on schools: "it is hardly naive to hypothesize that the reason suburbanites tax themselves so readily for their school budget is that they believe--with good reason--that they are buying better schooling for their children" (Ryan, 1976, p. 247). When their children's schools are in need of funding for special projects, these parents engage in fundraising activities.

Wealthy parents tend to have more time and financial resources to devote to their children's education. Such parents are notorious for advocating for special placement of their children in advanced an...

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Class and Educational Achievement. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 04:34, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1708975.html