- Racial disparities still exists in American schools
- Posted By:
- Tom A.
- Posted On:
- 16-Sep-2010
-
We are aware of the racial disparities in our surroundings and over the years we have come to accept them. However, it was recently found that even certain schools still have issues when it comes to maintaining the balance between the regular American students and the students belonging to the other races.
It is found that in many schools, the black students or rather the African American students are subjected to punishment and suspension nearly thrice the number of times the American students are subjected to detention. The ratio is higher in the case of black/afro American girls in the same schools.
A recent study states that students belonging to the ethnic races, African American students etc are more likely to get punished and suspended than the regular American students. But on the other hand, Asian students are less likely to get punished when compared to American students as well.
This study was conducted by analysing the data collected from schools over the past forty years. And approximately nine thousand schools from 16,000 schools across the nation were analysed.
Researchers working on this study project are professors from esteemed universities in America and they analysed this data to determine the future academic options for students. They believe that experiences in the middle school level is very important for a student as it helps to determine whether or not they want to pursue higher studies in future.
Their research further states that of the four hundred freshman students in Baltimore, they found out that at least two thirds were subjected to suspension and detention in schools. Suspensions and detentions are given to students who violate various school norms. It could be a petty fight in class or school corridors to serious offences like use of abusive language or serious injuring fellow classmates.
And they also state that the percent of suspensions and detention based punishments has increased a lot in the past few decades. This has happened because the schools today adopt no-tolerance policies. This means that the students are not warned for their misbehaviour and are sent to detention right away.
Back in the days of the yore, black students and ethnic students were subjected to detention more because they were a minority and needed time to get adjusted with the American school atmosphere. However, over time, both American and African American students are at par with each other. The education department states that they are looking to find the root cause of the still prevalent disparity in the students.
The American education system is going through a revamp mode right now and they are looking at sprucing up their methods. If such issues are sorted out at the state level then it will not become a major issue like it seems now. Hence the rules need to be more accurate and to the point when it comes to dealing with students from all races. In fact schools should adopt a more tolerant policy towards their students.