So You Want to Talk About Education?

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Part of me wishes we were discussing  all things fun in education (theme, decorations, crafts, experiments, jokes and  stories). I say it with a heavy heart,  but that's not what I’m digging into today. Don’t leave just yet! Today we are discussing the...THE URBAN EDUCATION SYSTEM (que cheering)!

If you are still reading, I want to say thank you, but I also want to acknowledge the questions you might be having, “Corrinne who the HECK gave you the right to talk about education!?”. I validate your question because, in reality I'm a recent college graduate, 22 years old and I haven’t even started my first full year of teaching (it starts in two weeks don’t worry). Who did give me the right to talk about urban education? I am not sure. Now you are asking yourself “If you don’t even know who gave you the right to educate ME on education, why should I continue reading? Why did you even write this?”. I'd like to offer my insight. My insight and knowledge comes from my formal research with a professor, my positionality, involvement with The Center for Urban Teaching, my siblings education, and my own teaching.

Many of you know that I've been extremely driven towards equitable education-and if you've listened to me rant about it before get ready for another! For the longest time I never wanted to go into education, I strictly wanted to write. Before college I had some pretty harsh realizations that sadly much of opportunity depends on identity. This is a call to action, not in a way that I am pressuring you to become a teacher, but instead to shift our mindsets and being more aware of stereotypes.

Imagine a block of houses, the entire block represents the US education system, each of the houses on the block represent different working parts.

Each house is important. Read that again.

Each house is vital. Read that again.

Now that we are all aware that each house on the block is important, I want to focus on a specific house  that needs a little more attention at the moment. I want to focus on it because we have failed the people in the house for centuries. The house I am focussing on represents urban education. Much of my formal work towards social justice is on urban education and actions that fuel some pretty negative trends. So without further ado enjoy the following questions!

What is urban education?

I used to ask myself the same thing. I was never formally taught or educated on the parts that make up an urban education system but when I did  become aware of it there was no going back.

I was aware of EXTREME racial lines dividing much of our world since witnessing my siblings go through it-but I didn’t know it was so widespread.

How are we still keeping students from opportunities because of their positionality?

Teachers are not providing high expectations and rigor for students which creates the achievement gap! There is an elephant in the room, and I am going to address it. I've had plenty of encounters with people who’s demeanor changes when I bring up my vocation. When some hear urban education they assume, “yup, you are teaching in the hood. Good luck.” STOP THAT! Don’t think that-it's rude and toxic. Even if urban education was that, wouldn't the students still deserve an education?

Now that we have addressed that, urban education is not “teaching in the hood” and should NOT be viewed as a hopeless cause or an untouchable place. Urban education is school taking place in a largely populated and diverse area. Wealthy populations tend to leave urban schools because there is a misconception that it's not quality schooling. With them goes funding and resources.

Though we are in 2020, much of our society is severely segregated and that includes our schools.  Lack of understanding of urban education leads to educators who are not accurately prepared to provide quality education to our students, that leads to low expectations and low rigor. Students are not invested in and that should infuriate you. When there is severe segregation-students are more likely to have less resources which leads to lower test scores, circling back to lack of funding and lack of resources. It is a cycle. I was recently comparing the dollar amount spent per student in schools. I compared a suburb school and a urban-the difference spent per student was tens of thousands of dollars. That's saying only some students are worth the funding and resources.

Should I call it urban education? 

I’ve been juggling this question, because many jump to the assumption of “schools in the hood”. There are multiple stereotypes of urban schooling instead of understanding.  Use urban education with respect and acknowledgement of the reality. Urban education is the education of students in a metropolitan area. Also acknowledge that there are deeply rooted inequalities based on positionality.

Why do you keep referring to positionality? 

Positionality is  who we are. Your positionality plays a part of what opportunities you do and don’t have.  Below are some of what makes up your positionality: 

Gender, race, religion, occupation, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, immigration status, heritage, ethnicity

Why should I care?

You should care because our students in the United States are not provided the same opportunities or access to education based on their positionality. You should care because the future of our country is in the hands of younger generations, there won’t be a change in if we can't provide a path for all people  to speak their truth.  

Care because just because you don't see segregation or achievement gaps in the area you are reading from, does not mean it's not present in the world.

So what now? 

• Refer to urban education with respect and acknowledgement of the ways we are still failing our students.

• Know there is a lack of resources provided to urban schools, because many believe urban education is not quality education. Remember the cycle I mentioned. We are feeding into this cycle every day. If you have the means- reach out to teachers or schools that you know are teaching in metropolitan areas who may benefit from various donations.

• Keep in mind we should not be “saving” students who are nonwhite, non wealthy and in urban education systems. Read my post on The Savior Complex. :) Be culturally competent.

• Show empathy and acknowledge positionality. I urge you to not speak for other people, instead keep your eyes open to ensure all people have a microphone to speak their truth.

Thank you for reading, I am so thankful for you. I'm fueled by discussing all things positionality and how we need to stop failing each other in different ways. Have a great day beautiful people and ensure everyone has the opportunity to speak their truth!

Xoxo 

Corrinne Justice