My house is located within a pretty decent school district from my understanding, but I don't think that was ever a huge issue for my parents because they almost always planned for us to go to private schools. That being said, had I gone to public schools and not enjoyed my 'home district', my parents would have had the resources and knowledge to help me transfer to a more academically challenging HS.
The connection between a person's home and a person's school is SO important and so often overlooked. People forget that public school funding in America comes mainly from property taxes, so schools in upperclass, desirable neighborhoods where the homes go for higher prices rake in much more money than schools located in other areas. So, it turns out that the kids whose families can't afford private school are also the ones who only have access to the least funded public schools, while the kids whose families can afford private schooling would also have a pretty darn good educational experience, at least based on finances, at their public school. At its core, this system of financing for education perpetrates these economic inequalities and social injustices that you are so right to bring up! Thank you for creating a space for us to talk about them.
Reply
Michelle
12/8/2014 01:23:31 pm
Thank you for explaining that so articulately, Madeleine! Would love to discuss further!
Reply
Laurel
12/8/2014 02:40:06 pm
This is a really great article that speaks exactly to this issue in the context of Minnesota. Thank you for sharing! http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_25105588/twin-cities-housing-policies-contribute-segregation-report-says
Reply
Leave a Reply.
Author: The Storytellers
Here you will find a compilation of stories about house privilege and house marginalization told by everyone. The people sharing these stories are your friends, your family, your neighbors and your acquaintances. The next could be you.