Document Type
Poster Session
Department
Sociology
Faculty Mentor
Jono Anzalone
Abstract
There are many ways to start looking at how we could strengthen democracy and looking at our education systems is a great way to start. Looking at how we can provide equal opportunities despite the location of schools and their funding will try to diminish inequality not just within the education system, but for opportunities outside the classroom. When schools in different communities have unequal access to funding, programs, and resources, students don’t have the same opportunities to further their knowledge and skills needed to be good active citizens within their communities.
Education serves as a major institution that can shape how students see their own role within society and politics. When some schools get significantly less resources than others, the students are the ones who pay the price. They become less knowledgeable on political aspects and in return participate less than those with more educational opportunities; their voices may never be heard. If every school was to get the resources needed, students could have the chance to develop the skills and mindset to create their own perspectives and opportunities.
The democratic significance of this issue is connected to education and participation within communities and politics. We must become educated and engaged citizens for a democratic environment to thrive and when we have inequality within schools, inequalities will continue. The gap in unequal political knowledge, lower participation, and less representation for disadvantaged communities will continue to get bigger. To improve equality among schools will in return improve to strengthen democracy.
This project connects to applied course experiences by looking at pluralism within our education system. By looking at the barriers put in place, funding formulas, and historic decisions that have shifted our view on what education should look like, we can understand why pluralism is not possible. This project hopes to shift perspectives and show that what we are striving for in the school system can be done, and equality can improve for students in marginalized communities.
Bridging the Educational Gap to Strengthen Democracy
There are many ways to start looking at how we could strengthen democracy and looking at our education systems is a great way to start. Looking at how we can provide equal opportunities despite the location of schools and their funding will try to diminish inequality not just within the education system, but for opportunities outside the classroom. When schools in different communities have unequal access to funding, programs, and resources, students don’t have the same opportunities to further their knowledge and skills needed to be good active citizens within their communities.
Education serves as a major institution that can shape how students see their own role within society and politics. When some schools get significantly less resources than others, the students are the ones who pay the price. They become less knowledgeable on political aspects and in return participate less than those with more educational opportunities; their voices may never be heard. If every school was to get the resources needed, students could have the chance to develop the skills and mindset to create their own perspectives and opportunities.
The democratic significance of this issue is connected to education and participation within communities and politics. We must become educated and engaged citizens for a democratic environment to thrive and when we have inequality within schools, inequalities will continue. The gap in unequal political knowledge, lower participation, and less representation for disadvantaged communities will continue to get bigger. To improve equality among schools will in return improve to strengthen democracy.
This project connects to applied course experiences by looking at pluralism within our education system. By looking at the barriers put in place, funding formulas, and historic decisions that have shifted our view on what education should look like, we can understand why pluralism is not possible. This project hopes to shift perspectives and show that what we are striving for in the school system can be done, and equality can improve for students in marginalized communities.
