Finn Article

Connections

Patrick Finn's argument in the sections of the book titled "Literacy with an Attitude" is very similar to that of Kozol's argument in his article, "Still Separate, Still Unequal: America's Educational Apartheid." They both discuss the inequalities of children in schools. Finn targets the issues of social class inequalities, whereas Kozol targets the racial diversity and rich vs. poor inequalities in urban settings.

Finn discusses the various types of social class segregated schools, how the teachers teach the children and the way the curriculum is set up. There are drastic differences among the working class schools, middle class schools, affluent professional schools and the executive elite schools. Finn mentions the quote from a principal to a teacher, "Just do your best. If they learn to add and subtract, it's a bonus. If not, don't worry about it." Don't worry about it? As teacher, how could you not worry about it? That is your job. You need to come up with ways for these students to achieve these basic standards. Addition and subtraction are the foundation of mathematics, without that mastery there is little room for advancement. Teachers should strive for student's success in any situation, and it is hard to understand how anyone could "not worry about it" and give up on their students for the sole reason that they are of a lower social class. The teacher's expectations of students are most often based on their social class. In this case, teachers seem to be setting the kids up for failure and not allowing kids to work to their maximum potential. These children have average to above average IQ's and without the support and proper instruction from teachers they will not succeed. On another note the curriculum does not allow for interest in learning in the lower social classes. It seems to be in only the affluent and elite groups where creativity and student success is valued. All children learn differently and are capable of trying to learn. If they are not given that opportunity then you will never know.

Similar to Finn, Kozol expresses the differences of children of various social classes in his article. Kozol mentions the "cheap children" and the "expensive children" The expensive children get the best of everything. They get the best teachers, the best equiptment, the higher expectations etc. The exact opposite is what he discusses for the "cheap children" or children of low-income families. Kozol also talks about the curriculum materials suited for "the special needs and learning styles" of low-income urban children. Just because they come from low-income families does not mean they can not think and perform like children of the elite or high-income families. Once again, Kozol is noting the lack of high expecations for the children and families of the lower social classes.

Kozol and Finn have very similiar views on the issues of social class in education. Both of their examples in their writings prove this notion. They confirm the perceptions of how social class effects the world of education in the eyes of some teachers, administrators, governments, students and families.