According to the American Psychological Association, black students in the United States lag behind their white peers in academic achievement. For a long time, this inequality has been attributed to many different things, but arguing the point is useless when nothing is being done. The high school graduation rate for white students was 87%, whereas black students had a 73% graduation rate. Test scores also showed a similar racial gap, pointing to these inequalities.
Many of the contributing factors are focused on the school and environmental conditions. For instance, home and neighborhood environments are said to be two of the most impactful factors, but the way black students are treated by the faculty is also another important point to discuss. It’s clear that the school institute itself is the cause for inequality at school, so can online study temporarily solve the equality issue in the American education system?
Photo by Charles DeLoye on Unsplash
Online study gives everyone an equal opportunity
There are many factors that could affect someone’s opportunities in life. One of the most important components to consider is where someone is raised and their local environment. If someone is born into a relatively poor family in a location with few reputable schools, then their chance of having a strong education once they leave school is lower than that of a more affluent neighborhood.
Online study seeks to solve this issue by providing everyone with an equal opportunity to succeed. Assuming they have an internet connection, online universities and colleges give everyone the chance to study at a reputable educational institute and learn practical skills. Kettering University is a fantastic example of a school that teaches practical skills such as business administration and engineering management to everyone in the country. You don’t need to move to a different part of the country to study there and their top-class lectures provide an educational service to everyone that joins the school.
Online study doesn’t put a face to the students
Black students are said to be treated in a different way by faculty members. This has led to increased suspension rates among black students. In fact, data collected from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights said that black K-12 students are 3.8 times more likely as their white peers to receive an out-of-school suspension.
Online study doesn’t put a face to the student since teacher interactions are much lower and students are expected to be independent with their studies. This means that online study could give temporary relief to minority students who are at risk of being treated unfairly. While this doesn’t solve the supposed inherent issues with black students being treated unfairly, it can provide some relief and be more enticing for minority families that are concerned about their child’s well being.
In short, online study can be a fantastic way to help solve some of the current issues we see with inequality in education. For many, it can be a long-term solution to help anyone in the country receive a fantastic education and give them a higher chance of success in the future.
