Achievement/Opportunity Gap, Segregation in Schools & The Myth of Poverty

 As a student, I have always been interested in learning about different cultures, languages, and perspectives. I believe that diversity is a valuable asset that enriches our society and our world. However, not everyone has the same opportunities to access quality education and achieve their full potential. There are many factors that create and maintain gaps and barriers for some groups of students, especially those who are poor, racialized, or speak a different language. The achievement/ opportunity gap is one of them, highlighting the difference in academic performance between different groups of students, such as those from low-income versus high-income backgrounds, or those from minority versus majority ethnic groups. Some people use the term achievement gap to emphasize the measurable outcomes, such as test scores or graduation rates, that show how some students are lagging behind others. But the opportunity gap focuses on the underlying causes, such as the unequal or inequitable distribution of resources and opportunities, that affect students' chances to succeed. For example, some students may face challenges involving no health care, unsafe neighborhoods, low-quality schools, insufficient materials, unqualified teachers, or biased curricula that limit their ability to learn and grow. These challenges are often related to the social and economic structures that privilege some groups over others, and that reproduce the existing inequalities and injustices in our society.

School segregation is the separation of students into different schools by race, ethnicity, language, or other criteria. This occurs in certain areas either by de jure, meaning mandated by law or policy, or de facto, meaning resulting from other factors such as residential patterns, parental choice, or school assignment. School segregation was officially outlawed in the United States by the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which declared that separate but equal schools were unconstitutional. However, it still persists in the form of resistance and backlash from some segments of the society, the lack of enforcement and monitoring from the authorities, and the complex and dynamic factors that shape the educational landscape. School segregation can have negative effects on students' academic achievement, social and emotional development, and intergroup relations. By creating isolation, discrimination, and stereotypes among different groups of students.

Being Hispanic myself, I understand what comes with bilingualism. This refers to the ability to speak two languages. Children learn it if they grew up in bilingual environments (if parents know other language like Spanish), or in two different social settings ( home and school). Bilingualism can also be acquired later by adults who learn a second language for various purposes, such as work, travel, or personal interest. There are some benefits that come with it, which involves enhancing cognitive abilities, improving communication skills, increasing cultural awareness, and opening new social and economic opportunities. However, bilingualism can also face many challenges, such as the dominance and pressure of the majority language, the lack of support and recognition for minority languages, the stigma and prejudice against bilingual speakers, and the difficulty and cost of maintaining and developing bilingual proficiency. When looking at the negative myths about poverty, you come across assumptions involving poor people being lazy, Hispanics don’t care about the education of their children, and that the homeless haven’t taken importance in their education. When in reality, Hispanic families often place a huge emphasis on education, working hard to give their kids the best shot. But systemic barriers and unequal access to resources can make the education journey tougher. Homelessness is complex and can happen to anyone. It’s often a mix of high housing costs, unexpected life events, and yes, sometimes a lack of access to education. Poverty isn’t about personal failings; it’s about systemic issues that need some serious fixing. I think that these topics are relevant and important for understanding the current and future state of education and society, and for finding ways to improve them. One start could be donating and promoting charities and funds that go towards schools/annexes in poverty areas.