By Kate Wilkinson
Unlike most states, Pennsylvania does not have a specific plan in how it divides its money among the school districts across the state. Consequently, studies have recently been unearthed that a racial bias has been found in how the funds have been allocated. According to this study, school districts that are predominantly White are given far more money per student than schools that are much more diverse (Mezzacappa).
When looking at this graph, one will see how the line represents the expected amount of aid students should receive, while the dots represents how much they actually receive. In particular, the yellow dots represent schools which consist of 92% or more White students while the brown dots represent schools that are less than 92% White (Mezzacappa). One will notice how the majority of brown dots are under the line of expected funding, showing how many of the schools that lack the funding they need are not getting it while other schools are getting more funding than they need, directly correlating with the diversity of the school.
This disparity in fund allocation is accredited to historical policies that are still in effect today. One policy in particular is a system that provides more money for rural areas, which is where the majority of schools with a 92% or higher population are located. While more diverse schools tend to be located in urban areas. This policy is a great example of how racial biases do not need to be blatantly obvious in their intentions to have a profound effect in creating disparities.
While Pennsylvania does not seem adamant on changing their school funding allocations, there is a clear indication that their current policies open the opportunity to give predominantly White schools a leg up on more diverse schools, causing the achievement gap to widen between the school systems. What is great about this issue of funds is that it does not require that more money be put into the education fund; simply that funds need to be reallocated and distributed more normally, which would allow for all groups to receive the exact aid they need.
I have abided by the Wheaton Honor Code in this piece.
"Analysis Finds Racial Bias in Pa. Funding System." Education Week. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov.
2014.
This post really spoke to me since I live in Pennsylvania and I can definitely say that this is true. I use to go to a predominately white school, however, 15 mins from my house is another school that was predominately black and there was a huge difference. My school had many more technological advances such as new computers, smartboards, etc and that school did not. It is a shame to see because I know that the children who are getting less will most likely see themselves as less and not strive to do as great. I think that Pennsylvania definitely needs to change this and to change it so all school are having an equal resources. Also, along with this, few years ago, many schools in Philadelphia was shut down creating so much chaos for so many parents. Many parents couldn't find a school close enough or cost effective. I can't remember what exactly cause this shut down but I definitely think this needs to rebrought up.
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