My Mother’s Fight Against Education Inequality in America
Inequality, as a concept is hard to quantify but, the disparity between the rich and poor in education is concrete. As America slides down the ranks in education on the world stage, the underprivileged youth suffers. In America, the land of opportunity, poor children still must overcome their socioeconomic status to receive an education equal to their richer counterparts. Education is more than an opportunity; it is a fundamental right. In United States of America, no child should be denied a great education no matter their parent’s income or what city they live in.
These were the beliefs that inspired Christine Suma, my mom, mother of twelve, and lifelong Clevelander to enter her children into the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program in 1995. Starting out as a lottery that Cleveland parents entered in the hopes of securing funding to escape the Cleveland Municipal School district, it soon became the beginning of a national movement, School Choice. Children can’t control the income levels of their parents but School Choice gives them an opportunity to level the playing field, although all were not in favor.
District Court Judge Solomon Oliver deemed the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program unconstitutional in 1999. He stated it was in violation of the separation …show more content…
Through School Choice, low-income families have alternatives to the public school system. As my mother’s youngest child her efforts guaranteed me a spot in Our Lady of Good Counsel’s kindergarten allowing me and my siblings to attend a good school without financial strain on my family. As fate would have it my mom gave her first speech while she was pregnant with me on the Statehouse steps in downtown Columbus. Now, because of her efforts in the fight for education I have come full circle, and I am able to complete my higher education at Ohio
Inequality, as a concept is hard to quantify but, the disparity between the rich and poor in education is concrete. As America slides down the ranks in education on the world stage, the underprivileged youth suffers. In America, the land of opportunity, poor children still must overcome their socioeconomic status to receive an education equal to their richer counterparts. Education is more than an opportunity; it is a fundamental right. In United States of America, no child should be denied a great education no matter their parent’s income or what city they live in.
These were the beliefs that inspired Christine Suma, my mom, mother of twelve, and lifelong Clevelander to enter her children into the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program in 1995. Starting out as a lottery that Cleveland parents entered in the hopes of securing funding to escape the Cleveland Municipal School district, it soon became the beginning of a national movement, School Choice. Children can’t control the income levels of their parents but School Choice gives them an opportunity to level the playing field, although all were not in favor.
District Court Judge Solomon Oliver deemed the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program unconstitutional in 1999. He stated it was in violation of the separation …show more content…
Through School Choice, low-income families have alternatives to the public school system. As my mother’s youngest child her efforts guaranteed me a spot in Our Lady of Good Counsel’s kindergarten allowing me and my siblings to attend a good school without financial strain on my family. As fate would have it my mom gave her first speech while she was pregnant with me on the Statehouse steps in downtown Columbus. Now, because of her efforts in the fight for education I have come full circle, and I am able to complete my higher education at Ohio