Introduction
A form of racial inequality associated with education is the achievement gap, which refers to the persistent disparities in academic performance between white and non-white students. Theoretical perspectives suggest that this is due in part to the ways in which racism operates within educational institutions, including biased testing practices and the overrepresentation of students of color in disciplinary actions (Barber et al., 2020). Systemic racism also affects education through artificial institutional boundaries. For example, as Tourse et al. (2018) point out, young Native Americans were forbidden to speak their native languages at church-related schools in the late 19th century. At the same time, the First Nations Code Talkers were successfully employed during World War II to transmit messages. However, they only gained recognition more than half a century after the war ended.One form of racial inequality associated with the educational system is the achievement gap between students of different races. This refers to the disparity in academic achievement between students of color, particularly Black and Latino students, and their White counterparts (Howard, 2019). Structural perspectives such as the conflict theory suggest that the achievement gap results from systemic inequalities in the educational system. According to this perspective, the educational system is designed to maintain the social status quo, perpetuating the marginalization of students of color. The achievement gap can be attributed to the unequal distribution of resources, such as funding and qualified teachers, that favor White students and schools in affluent neighborhoods.On the other hand, cultural perspectives suggest that the achievement gap results from cultural factors that impact academic performance. For example, the cultural deficit theory argues that students of color are less successful in school because they lack the cultural capital valued by the dominant culture (Howard, 2019). This perspective holds that the dominant culture’s values and behaviors, such as being assertive, critical thinking, and speaking Standard English, are incompatible with those of students of color. Consequently, they are seen as inferior and not suited for academic success.Another example of the influence of systemic racism on education is seen in the historical practice of housing segregation. According to Rothstein, enclosing non-white communities into separate blocks led to students of color being more likely to attend underfunded schools with less experienced teachers and fewer resources (as cited in Tourse et al., 2018). This leads to worse quality of education, higher risk of dropping school, and generally less student retention rate, continuing to higher education. Systemic racism also manifests in the form of biased testing practices, disciplinary actions, and other forms of discrimination within educational institutions (Barber et al., 2020). This leads to people from the affected communities gaining even less opportunities to achieve quality education throughout their young years.
The Role of Governments and Institutions
Governments and educational institutions have a crucial role to play in addressing racism in education. They need to recognize and acknowledge the existence of racism in education and work towards creating an inclusive and diverse environment where every student feels welcome and supported. They should also implement policies and procedures that address racism in education. Governments and educational institutions must also promote diversity and inclusion in the classroom and beyond.
Supporting marginalized groups, such as students of color, indigenous students, and students from low-income families, is also an essential aspect. This includes providing resources for tutoring and mentoring, creating safe spaces for these students to express themselves, and providing financial assistance for those in need. Governments and educational institutions can collaborate with community organizations that are working towards ending racism in education. This includes working with parents, community leaders, and civil rights organizations to develop strategies that address racism and promote diversity and inclusion in education. Today, governmental programs like affirmative action and activist movements such as Black Lives Matter exist to fight racism in social institutions, including education. Acknowledging systemic injustices and inequities requires recognizing the ways in which racism operates in various social institutions and accepting the involvement of all society members in systemic racism (Bonilla-Silva, 2021). This can involve listening to the experiences and perspectives of people from marginalized communities, educating oneself on the history and legacy of racism, and actively working to dismantle unjust systems and structures.
Measures and Policy Changes
Measures and policy changes that educational institutions can implement to help alleviate racial inequality include increasing funding for schools in underprivileged areas and hiring and retaining diverse teaching staff. Additionally, anti-bias training for teachers and administrators can be implemented to combat unconscious bias and discrimination within the classroom (Sue et al., 2020). Furthermore, it is necessary to re-evaluate the adequacy and efficiency of the existing academic achievement evaluation systems in schools and in universities that have been regarded as flawed and biased for a long time (Baber et al., 2020). Lastly, providing additional support and resources for students from marginalized communities can help them succeed academically and prepare for college and career opportunities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, addressing systemic racism in education requires a concerted effort from governments, educational institutions, and the broader community. Institutions and governments can implement policies and programs that promote diversity and inclusivity through cooperation, collaboration, and communication. Societies can create and support a more equitable and just educational system to address long-term issues such as the achievement gap. Addressing racial inequality requires a concerted effort to dismantle systemic barriers and cultural biases that perpetuate the marginalization of students of color. Educational policies that provide equal opportunities for all students, such as equitable funding, teacher training, and curriculum reform, are essential in closing the achievement gap and promoting racial equality in education.
References
Barber, P. H., Hayes, T. B., Johnson, T. L., & Márquez-Magaña, L. (2020). Systemic racism in higher education. Science, 369(6510), 1440–1441. Web.
Bonilla‐Silva, E. (2021). What makes systemic racism systemic? Sociological Inquiry, 91(3), 513–533. Web.
Howard, T. C. (2019). Why race and culture matter in schools: Closing the achievement gap in America’s classrooms. Teachers College Press.
Sue, D. W., Calle, C. Z., Mendez, N., Alsaidi, S., & Glaeser, E. (2020). Microintervention strategies: What you can do to disarm and dismantle individual and systemic racism and bias. John Wiley & Sons.
Tourse, R. W. C., Hamilton-Mason, J., & Wewiorski, N. J. (2018). Systemic racism in the United States. Springer.