week 11

Chapter 5:

The most shocking part of this reading was on page 171.  The color line that still exists today is appalling.  Wong gives the following data: "The color line also persists in U.S. public schools today: Of ever 100 White kindergartners, 88 graduate from high school.  Of every 100 African American kindergartners, 83 graduate from high school.  Of every 100 Latino kindergartners, 60 graduate from high school.  Of those same kindergartners, 25 Whites, only 12 Blacks and 10 Latinos graduate from college."  This data shows the oppression and inequality of the education system in America.  All students should have the same chances and statistics for graduation, and in an ideal world, race would not matter.  However, as stated later in the chapter, high stakes testing, a major factor in both curriculum and graduation, are biased racially and economically.  It's sad that our system has such a major flaw, especially in this day in age where we'd like to think that racism is almost nonexistent.  However, it is exciting at the same time.  Hopefully as teachers, we will be able to make a difference with our ELL classes and maybe even increase the odds of education by creating an environment of inclusion that fosters dialogue and tolerance.  These statistics give us a tough challenge that we will have to face in our futures.