AbrahamsMatrixPost2

Quinn Abrahams-Vaughn October 31, 2014 Sustainability Problems Matrix Paper 2

We live in a world where education is supposed to be free and fair to everyone. It is a system that is supposed to offer kids everywhere with the opportunity to become their best selves and achieve economic and social success. But as with many large national systems, there are systemic problems that are destroying this dream. Often it starts with kids not having enough food at home to eat properly. This creates an unfair gap between poor kids and their wealthier neighbors. Poorer families also spend more time working, which can lead to other home issues. Another problem is the disparity with which kids are punished. In a study of every kid in Texas, 8 out of 10 black kids were suspended at least once during middle and high school and many were suspended multiple times. The Texas numbers showed that kids who were suspended, were 3 times more likely to go to jail then other students. On top of that, many kids would be suspended for missing school, which meant they missed more school. This also led to an increase in the rate of kids who had to repeat a grade or receive other type of help. Also disturbing is that kids with educational disabilities are also suspended at abnormally high rates which is unfair to the kids and their families. Then we get to a higher education system with ever ballooning costs. We have talked about the economic impacts of student loans and how they are unstainable but we also need to consider all of the people that aren’t making it into college. The issues presented here are helping to create an ever widening gap between the haves and the have-nots. As kids spend more time and money falling behind in the economic race, the disparity grows. If the pattern isn’t changed then this will create a cyclic pattern that would continue to harm our country. There may be solutions to the problem, in a recent This American Life episode they looked into different solutions to the discipline problem, one being no nonsense rigid charter schools that aim to be so ridged as to not leave room for transgressions. Another approach that is discussed is a method where kids try are forced to talk out there actions, why they did whatever and eventually they learn from their mistakes. These approaches appear to be working for the schools that utilize them and as we continue to learn in this environment maybe we can evolve our system to be a fair playing field for everyone.