To our fellow friends: The Martians

We live in a world where all are offered the same basic educational opportunities. There are other educational opportunities available, but at additional costs. These options are usually afforded to students of parents of means (money) and race (in this case Caucasian). In most cases, these parents of means and race congregate together in specific communities. The schools in these communities obviously reflect this demographic makeup. If the community is more affluent, the educational system can be better, and the children in it have more opportunities. This practice though not illegal, does tend to separate students of different races and means. For example, if you look at a school district where the majority of the school’s population is of a certain race, you can safely assume that the town is made up of the same demographic breakdown.

Our students are diverse and primarily speak or are learning a language other than English. School attendance is mandatory according to the Federal Government. The education of the students starts at age five and continues until the child has completed thirteen years of schooling or reaches the age of eighteen, whichever comes first. The public school system is responsible for teaching the vast majority of students (86%). There are additional schooling options available to students. Parents can pay additional funds to send their children to Private or Parochial (religious based) schools. They can also be taught at home, most commonly by the parents. The number who attend these types of schools are small ( roughly 14%). All public schools are not created equal though. The quality of the school and what is taught is determined by the community at large. As stated above, parents of means naturally congregate together; therefore, in most cases, they can afford a better educational experience for their children. Once the student finishes the pre-requisite schooling, they may attend a school of higher learning. They may choose the focus of this higher education but are required to pay additional funds, which can be costly. Again money is a large factor.

Unlike our students, our teachers are less culturally diverse. Due to gender based stereotypes, many men are shun from educating young children; hance, the majority of our teachers are females. They are experienced and well educated. Most of them have advanced degrees. Schools in the above mentioned “communities of means” have more qualified teachers than communities of lesser means. Again, the point is stressed that the community is the primary indicator for the racial makeup in a school and the quality of education.