Blog Post #3
What “Counts” as Educational Policy? Notes Toward a New Paradigm
Jean Anyon
Connections
This reading by Anyon drew many parallels to the prior two readings we have analyzed in this course. Although the main focus of Anyon’s arguments and views is mainly policy, many of the overall themes align with Khan and Johnson’s readings. Each author makes a strong argument about the cracks in the overall systems in society.
Here, Anyon argues that a variety of levels of policies directly impact education regardless of intention. They begin by discussing that federal educational policy itself was originally tailored to benefit working class families. Therefore, many of these early policies provided funds to prepare students in industrialized areas for working class jobs through vocational programs.
However, once certain federal policies regarding education in urban areas came about, they were not addressing economic arrangements and practices in society. Anyon discusses that despite the passing of several federal, state and judicial level policies urban education remains to be lower than that of affluent areas due to broader factors such as macroeconomics, racial discrimination and segregation, high rates of unemployment and joblessness, to name only a few. There is a clear argument presented by Anyon that the system of policies in which our society operates, negatively impacts the education of poorer students and families.
Then, Johnson discusses the system of privilege which goes hand and hand with Anyon’s points. Johnson made a point about privilege meaning that one who is privileged, directly results in another being underprivileged. Anyon makes a clear example of this when he talks about certain policies highly benefitting affluent schools and in turn, negatively impacting urban schools and minority populations.
Furthermore, Khan similarly talks about the education system and its flaws. Again, this system was originally designed to produce obedience and conformity (based on the Prussian model) and is a result of social constructs. The point Khan makes, which aligns with Anyon and Johnson, is that the social construct that the education system is, is rooted in political and social priorities. All three authors suggest that these social systems and structures remain outdated and determine student’s opportunities whether it is in a positive or negative way, dependent on a multitude of social determinants.
One point I would like to reflect on in class is the concept that the systems in our society define a student’s success long before a test score does. There are so many factors that influence learning and there seems to be a power imbalance within society which falls on the education system. Coming from a health science background, I think about the key social determinants of health and how education is impacted there. Education Access and Quality | Prepare Your Health | CDC
Hi Georgie! I really like the connections you made to the past readings, especially the ones you made about Johnson. I think seeing how the policies that benefit affluent schools end up hurting minority schools is clearly an example of how one's privilege directly impacts someone else's under-privilege that Johnson was talking about.
ReplyDeleteI also think it's interesting that you say that a student's success is determined long before a test does. I agree with you that there are so many varying things that determine a child's success. I also think, though, that through hard work and dedication, a child can overcome what society thinks and be successful despite what they have been told.
Hi Amara,
DeleteWhen I mentioned that a student’s success can be determined long before a test does, I was referring to it from a societal perspective because of the systems that are already in place, not my personal belief about individual potential. I completely agree that there are many ways students can defy expectations and make meaningful strides. However, I think socioeconomic factors and politically driven policies often place certain groups of students at a significant disadvantage, which is the point Anyon is making in this argument.
Hi Georgie,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great connections post! I was debating on doing a connection blog because of how much Johnson and Kahn had connected. I was also comparing how students success is determined for them based on privilege. I loved how you added all three agree upon the outdated systems of schooling. Going over the factors of success versus failure in class would be a great topic of conversation. I enjoyed reading your connections and relating them to some of mine that I found... great post!
Hello Georgie, I liked your well-thought out post and especially the discussion concept you raise for the class - the health care perspective of a quality education is critically important and I think often overlooked.
ReplyDelete