In pages 64-70 of Race, Wrongs, and Remedies; Amy Wax discusses the problem of education in many African American communities. She explains that in most cases, it is hard to get better teachers to go teach in schools that are lagging and need improvement. Wax argues that good teachers are reluctant to teach in underprivileged schools because students are in many cases undisciplined and unprepared, even if the teachers are offered higher pay. Further, Wax goes on to assert that people focus on brick wall obstacles that they believe can be removed through external interventions, such as addressing teacher quality instead of the quality of the student. Wax feels that the only solution is a reform of behavior and determination through cultural reform. This is a very interesting argument, but definitely a solution that seems quite difficult to attain. Many of these shortcomings in behavior and determination stem from a lack of development at a very young age, which comes from how a child is raised at home. Although changes like this are very hard to attain, it does seem like creating a stable home life would have great benefits.
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3 replies on “Wax on Education reflection”
Having better teachers in underprivileged areas would be very beneficial to the students, especially those who do not have a stable home environment. It is extremely unfortunate that these experienced teachers are reluctant because the students are undisciplined and unprepared.
Wax’s argument that addressing the quality of the teachers rather than students is definitely interesting. I feel like this is a very important societal issue that needs to be addressed, because it is not fair that underprivileged children and teenagers do not have the same access to quality education that privileged students are. This issue definitely needs to be addressed, and Wax’s idea, like you said, is definitely an interesting one.
I definitely agree with your conclusion that the benefits of retrofitting cultural norms in these low wealth areas would be incredibly helpful in the goal of obtaining superior education for the youths of these communities as well as removing stereotypes that are quite difficult to break and can lead to a societal rejection such as that of school teachers and other professionals. I think one of Wax’s major shortcomings was the lack of creative thought as to how a governmental structure that has discriminated against these groups previously can offer them assured equality of opportunity in today’s world. While yes there must be obvious self-help and a hard work ethic to bring this about however there could always be networks and support systems offered to these communities to ease that process as well as help out for those who do not have positive role models on their life.