Savage Inequalities
QTPC #15
Quotation- page 222 “Political accommoation, rather than conviction, dictates this approach because, of course, it begs the question: Since very distric is competing for the sam restricted pool of gifted teachers, the ‘minimum’ assured to every distric is immediately devaed by the district that can add $10,000more the teacher salaries. Then, too, once the richest districts go above the minimum, school suppliers, textbook publishers, computer maufacturers adjust their price horizons-just as tachers raise their salary horizons- and the poorest districts are left where they were before the minumum existed.” I agree with this statement. If one place is able to raise their price, then others will follow. It’s similar to what happens in other industries in the world today.
Talking Point- It’s surprising that even with the high drop out rates at these schools that they still are short on books and materials. I figured since so many students drop out from freshmen year to senior year that there would be enough textbooks at least for everyone in class to have one. It’s such a shock on how short the schools are on supplies.
Connection- “The room is haned by the presence of the children who are gone. . . .” page 146. This statement reminds me of my AP stats class which had 8 students in it including my good friend Blake. Towards the end of the trimester, Blake died of heart problems. It was weird to have his seat empty and him not being there. An eight of our class was permantly missing kind of like the two-thirds that dropped out at Camden High School.
QTPC #14
Quotation- “You look around you at their school, although it’s impolite to do that, and you take a deep breath at the sight of all those beautiful surroundings.” page 104 said by Alexander, a Jamaican
I was shocked that they found it impolite to look at the school and the stuff the wealthy have. They should be able to look. Just because they are a different race doesn’t mean they are below the wealthy.
Talking Point- I can’t believe that the school can lose track of some of the students. I do understand that they do have an overwhelming amount enrolled in the school but it’s so sad that they can lose children. It made me realize my school’s automated call was important no matter how annoying it was. They would call if you were marked as absent twice. Once in the morning around 9 and again after work hours around 5. It showed the school cares about their students while these schools in the book are glad when students don’t show up because they have enough desks for everyone then.
Connection- When David, the fourth grade boy in the gifted program, explains what they are doing, he sounds so sophisticated for his age. He reminds me of my cousin Katie who is three years younger than me. When I was 12, my family went down to Georgia to visit my uncle and his family. My mom, sister, and I took Katie to the beach with us. Katie and I decided to build a sandcastle which was later destroyed by the tide. I went up to my mom and said that the tides ruined our sandcastle. Next, Katie comes up to join us and says, “We attempted to build a sandcastle but were unsuccessful.” What nine year old talks like that?
QTPC # 13
Quotation- “Governor Thompson, however, tells the press that he will not pour money into East St. Louis to solve long-term problems. East St. Louis residents, he says, must help themselves. ‘There is money in the community,’ the governor insists. ‘It’s just not being spent for what it should be spent for.’” page 24
It’s sad to think that the people of East St. Louis are being denied help from their governor because he believes they are spending their money wrong. Yet he will help out the wealthy cities who don’t need the money as much as East St. Louis residents do.
Talking Point- It’s so depressing to read this book. I can’t believe governments would deny educational funding to cities like East St. Louis and Chicago. Reading about the horrible school conditions of East St. Louis made me really appreciate my hometown and my school. I can’t imagine trying to get an education without textbooks, lab supplies, working bathrooms, etc. Also, it would be difficult for me to be motivated to learn without teachers caring about me and pushing me to do better.
Connection- The teacher in Chicago, Corla Hawkins, reminds me of the teacher in the movie Freedom Writers. That teacher is put into a classroom of unteachable students in a school where there’s racial tension. With her passion and encouragement, she manages to help the students to strive and get an education. She helped them to relate to the world and to get rid of the hatred towards each other.
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