Joey Liu, Period 6, 11/30/23

 Joey Liu

Period 6

11/30/23

One of the major driving factors behind the depletion of the equality of opportunity in education is economic status. Children from poorer families are unable to compete with the superior tutors and resources available to wealthier families as their time and energy are forced upon other responsibilities/needs. The child who is preoccupied with their starving parents is in a continuous struggle to find success in their journey through academia. In addition, the expansion of private and charter schools continue to segregate and push students apart with the coexistence of under-resourced schools and geographical distribution issues in government funding. Exams such as the SHSAT and SAT/ACT, standardized aptitude tests at face value available to all, supposedly measure college preparedness or competence in subjects such as reading. While the premise of these tests aren’t completely hogwash, one could argue that by replacing reading “competency” with socioeconomic status, a better correlation may just result. 

With everything stacked against someone, what do we tell kids, give up? “Work hard and someday you’ll achieve your dreams.” This is what children are told. This was what I was told. Even though my curious and intellectually vital nature has aided me in becoming one of the aspiring youngsters that have “made it” (in terms of passing a test), many others weren’t so lucky. In my own experience, there were many who were less unfortunate and didn’t quite make a cutoff to get into a school of their choice. They were hard workers. They were students who took initiative themselves and self studied when there wasn’t a parent offering them the chance to attend prep school. They were dreamers. I guess what I’m trying to say is that they had it in them. In hindsight, I realize that it is students like them who probably deserve that extra push or opportunity the most. I commend and revere pioneers such as Sal Khan (with Khan Academy) who help bridge the gaps for those who look to take that extra step but are unable to financially facilitate their pursuit of knowledge. Personally, I have strived to embody and carry on these values and dreams with my own pursuits outside of the classroom. From free tutoring sessions in physics and mathematics to musical lessons, I have developed a sense of fulfillment by helping students fill their potentials regardless of their economic background. By providing students with the education they need, I hope that one day they use this powerful weapon to change the world.