Week 11: Social Innovation

One thing that is very important to me and I think is incredibly important for our young people is education. But throughout this country there are gaps and inequality in the educational system that benefit individuals in certain socio-economic classes while putting others at a disadvantage. These barriers and inequalities perpetuate a cycle that widens the gap when change is not enacted.

A site that I found which touched on this topic is education post (www.educationpost.org). This site breaks the topic into what it considers that "Top Issues" in education, "Features" which are specific to teachers, parents, students, etc., and then "Featured Bloggers."

In one post in particular on March 23, 2020 blogger Jay Wamstead discusses how the inequality between students isn't a new problem, it is something that is being highlighted by the recent pandemic outbreak of Covid-19. Next to the photo of the author is his qualifications as an educator as well as where his work has been featured which creates a sense of his authority/credibility on the subject.

He brings in quotes from author C.S. Lewis to relate a quote about World War II and relates it to how war doesn't create a new situation, rather it "aggravates the permanent human situation so that we can no longer ignore it." He writes about assumptions that he is making - that someone who is reading the blog post probably has the time and resources to utilize the internet and technology to stay, mostly, up to speed with their education. But he then turns his argument to those that are not at the same advantage level as a middle-class families with the resources to participate in the educational system during these challenging times.

He writes about his family and how they are going to be fine during these times. He writes about his students and how he worries about those that don't have the economic resources and support systems at home to stay up to speed with their peers.

I think utilizing his credentials, discussing his family's situation, and most of his students (who fall into lower-income categories) will fall behind, he creates a compassionate plea for equality in the educational system. He ends by asking what society (and particularly those reading the blog) will do about the inequalities that exist for many disadvantaged children in America.

Largely I felt like this site appeals to parents, educators and individuals who are concerned about the important role that education plays in society and that the playing field needs to be leveled so that no child is without the same opportunity for a quality education. School may not be for everyone. We all take slightly different paths, but we should all have the same opportunities and not have to start the race with our legs tied together.