Educational Inequality
Some thought on educational inequality:
Educational inequality is one of the many issues facing the State of South Carolina. Citizens living in I-95 corridor are continually facing budget shortfalls and inadequate teaching facilities. I would encourage everyone to watch the documentary entitled “The Corridor of Shame”, which details the plight of the I-95 corridor. Likewise, the more prosperous regions of the state, such as the Upstate, face budget shortfalls, but they are nothing in comparison to the dire circumstances of the poorer regions of the state. Christians must realize that the there are regions in this state where children do not have access to adequate educational opportunities. Even in those school districts providing excellent educational opportunity, testing has replaced teaching and children suffer for it.
Furthermore, consideration must be given to a rising generation of Hispanic children whose parents do not have legal immigration status. These children have been educated in our schools, played alongside our children, and are as American as any other high school teenager is. However, these undocumented children do not have access to continuing education and job training. One may say, well then they should go back and come into this country the right way, but what are these young adults to go back to? A home they never new? A country that is only their own because of their race? The truth is, there needs to be a legal way, which allows those children who have graduated from our high schools to become citizens of this country. Keeping the status quo, only subjects this upcoming generation to poverty and isolation.
Educational inequality is a multi-faceted problem, with many complex solutions. The church must be part of the solution. We must once again regain our voice in the educational decisions of not only our children but those in neighborhoods as well. Jesus said, “let the little children come to him and not hinder them.” This command calls us to consideration the implications of educational inequality. How many times have you heard someone say, “Read the word everyday, meditating on it, and allowing it to penetrate your heart”? Is it right then, that the Church of Jesus Christ should stand idlely by while there are children graduating from our schools that can not read and write? Is it right to stand by and allow children to be punished and denied access to higher job training and education because their parents tried to give them a better life? Is it right that children drop out of school because our educational system has focused on test scores when they should have been letting our teachers teach?
Call your local legislators today and demand that they fix the inadequacies in funding that plaque so many school districts in this state and deny adequate educational opportunities to so many children. Tell our national legislators to fix the No Child Left Behind Act by listening to educators and parents.
Encourage our universities and those planning to become involve in education to answer the call of Jesus and serve in the I-95 corridor. The pay is bad, the children are needy, the facilities are inadequate, but in the midst of it, all there is an opportunity to share the love of Jesus and change this world. Would you encourage your son or your daughter to give up a better paying teaching career to serve in the I-95 corridor?
In what ways can your church partner with the school districts in your area to help close the gap in educational achievement? Are there those who could volunteer time to tutor, mentor, and be involved in school life?
Of course, this brief blog is just the start of the conversastion and the problem of educational inequaility is much broader and deeper than mentioned here. But one thing we know is this, when God’s people faithfully act on behalf of the poor and marginalized and courageously speak truth into issues such as these, God is glorified and the world will know that Christ is alive.
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