Purpose of Research Breakdown:
Education is necessary to develop and occupy the brain to maintain function or advance the cognitive part of the brain. Without proper resources, access, and representation, students will not be able to thrive, learn, or adapt to new curricula or material.
Education is an integral part of furthering human development. Without diversity in education, we will not be able to improve or advance in the subject matter within the curriculum. Little respect for diversity directly causes a digression in advancement within education.
As it exists a majority of curriculum within American schools is outdated and has a lack of cultural understanding or significance. Anecdotally, As a student, I see within health education classes or history classes that there is the use of derogatory language towards groups of people within health as well as history class. While my health class teaches about mental health it also teaches about nutrition that is not based on proper nutritional science. And in part promotes diet culture that promotes eating disorder behaviors.
The purpose of my research is to go based on the facts and data and try to veer away from anecdotal evidence or misinformation. The only anecdotal evidence you will see within this paper is in this opening statement.
My research upholds the philosophy of Students Protecting Education as well as the ethical standards that are set for journalistic integrity within data research.
To repeat, without necessary representation or diversity within the education system is what could be the demise of education within America.
Argument #1:
Among the majority of the parents being represented during school board meetings are white-presenting parents. The reason one could conclude why white presenting parents are being represented over other ethnic/racial groups is due to the percentage breakdown of the ethnic or racial background of each board official.
The data table suggests that almost nearly all school board elected officials are predominantly white even with a predominantly diverse background of student body.
The source of the data table goes on to talk about how Predominantly Black or Hispanic student bodies are represented by a predominantly white board of education officials. An example of this is, “Thornton Fractional School District, a high school district of around 3,400 students in suburban Chicago, and is more than 90 percent Black and Hispanic; the school board is nearly all white..” (Source). As shown in the text, predominantly Black or Hispanic student bodies are not being represented in the school board of education.
Argument #2
A broken-down graph shows different ethnic groups of parents who have concerns about their child's education.
The graph of parents' concerns about the amount their child is learning shows that Hispanic or black parents have a higher percentage of concerns regarding their child's education as compared to non-Hispanic students.
The higher concern of Hispanic or black parents shown in the graph is most likely due to the lack of representation in School Board elections. A way to solve this problem is to have or promote more diversity in elections and have more diverse people in the Education Administration of the school board. The text shows,
“Having a racially and culturally diverse teacher workforce is essential for all students. For students of color, having a teacher of the same race can have a lasting effect on their schooling and life trajectory” (Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, vice president for research, policy, & advocacy at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education), says.
Argument #3
A graph suggests that there is a high rate of dissatisfaction regarding The school's efforts to maintain students' well-being.
As shown in the graph, parent satisfaction is overall in the high 40%. A suggestion that could help change this High dissatisfaction among parents is the use of diversification within the board of education for each District as well as the promotion of resources regarding the mental health and well-being of students.
Beyond creating resources it most likely would be beneficial that there be access to properly trained Mental Health Specialists (culturally sensitive trained) who work within the schools. This quote suggests,
“Increased state and county funding to support mental health practitioners in public high schools is one suggestion to address mental health disorders in students. Other strategies are offered for timely and appropriate diagnoses and treatment for mental health disorders that may impact the quality of life of a student for a lifetime.”
Beyond the access to mental health professionals and how beneficial they are. Diversity in education is quintessential for the positive trajectory of students as shown in the data provided.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a lack of school-elected board officials who are Black or Hispanic that have predominantly Black or Hispanic students. With the lack of Black or Hispanic board-elected education officials, there is a higher concern among parents with their child's education. Beyond the parent's concerns, some data back up the reasonable concern of the parents and how the schools' efforts to meet student needs are low or non-existent (the majority of this data came from predominantly white elected officials with predominantly Black or Hispanic students).
In short, Diversity and representation of curriculum and administration is the Pinnacle of positive trajectory for students.
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Kristin Kavanagh-Rocha
Director of Research & Development
Last edited: 07/20/2023
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