1. Educational Inequalities

2. Education There are huge inequalities in education in the USA.
These are largely because of income and this again means that minorities are worst affected.
There is a huge problem in education in the USA whereby in many cases, schools in more affluent areas gain more funding than schools in poorer areas. This is sometimes called a “Funding Gap”.
This means that young people from poorer areas do not get as good an education, and this affects black and Hispanic families the most.
Most educational funding comes from state and local governments with only 10% of funding coming from the federal government.
A 2004 report found that there were funding gaps in 36 of the 50 states.
This means that most states spend thousands of dollars more on pupils in richer areas compared to poorer areas.

3. Education
Teachers in the USA are paid based on their qualifications, years experience, extra curricular activities etc. This means that the best qualified and most experienced teachers are paid more.
Since the best teachers are paid more, schools with less funding cannot afford to employ them, and this in part explains the inequalities in the US education system.

4. Education
In 2010 in terms of graduating from high school or achieving a Bachelor’s degree:
Hispanics (42%) and Blacks (58%) have the least number of high school graduates.
Whites (81%) have the most high school graduates, with Asians (32%) having the highest percentage of Bachelor degrees.

5. Education Causes of educational inequality
In an equal world there would be no difference in educational attainment between the different minority ethnic groups. However, statistics show that Whites and Asians consistently outperform Hispanics and Blacks in terms of educational attainment. Why?
Impact of poor neighbourhoods
A significant number of blacks and Hispanics live in poor areas. These areas are characterised by poor housing, unemployment, dysfunctional families, crime and drugs. Children brought up in these areas are less likely to value education or go to school hence educational attainment levels are low.

6. Education 2. ‘Poor Schools’ attended by many B+H have:
Problems attracting and retaining suitably qualified teachers and so classes go untaught.
A lack resources for equipment such as computers. School buildings may require extensive repairs. Often schools with the best results get the most funding.
More disruptive and disaffected students making it harder for pupils to learn.
Also, many Americans with money send their children to expensive but high attaining private schools.
Don’t stereotype: Within the Hispanic group Cuban Americans, who tend to be wealthier, often do better than Mexican or Puerto Ricans in terms of educational success.

7. Education
Graduating High School with a diploma is seen as a crucial step in beating the poverty trap. A college degree is now a prerequisite for a well paid job.
Drop out rates for Blacks and Hispanics do tend to be higher.
Hispanics and Education
Many say that they need to support their family.
Limited English skills.
Cannot afford to go to school.
High illiteracy rates.

8. Education Asian American educational success
Unlike Blacks and Hispanics, most Asian Americans do well in education. Evidence shows that Asians tend to have higher educational attainment than the White majority, although this hides the fact that some Asian groups do better than others.
For example, Japanese and Korean Americans, where education is valued, families stable and incomes high, do best. These groups can afford to send their children to the best schools where they often excel (Asians make up 5% of US population but 10% of undergraduates.)
On the other hand, many Vietnamese and Cambodians, who are on average poorer than other Asian American groups, do very poorly in terms of education.

9. Education
Black and Hispanic children are far more likely to attend poor schools.
Children from low-income families are 6 times more likely to drop out of school compared to children from high-income families.

10. TASK CAUSES of educational inequality
GROUPS that suffer educational inequalities
Create a revision sheet of your own for educational inequalities in the USA
SUCCESS stories in American education
IMPACT of educational inequality

11. Higher = 1 KAKAE paragraph
TASK
Explain, in detail, two reasons why some groups suffer from educational inequalities in a world power you have studied. 6
To what extent do individuals or groups in a world power you have studied suffer educational inequality?
Higher = 1 KAKAE paragraph
Nat 5 = 2 x P.E.E

12. Links to additional materials
– Asian Americans breaking the bamboo ceiling?
– Strawberry Mansion High School, the most dangerous school in America.
– Poor funding in Detroit Public Schools
– Private vs Public Schools; are private schools better?
- American High School: Straight Outta Orangeburg