On with Kara Swisher The Weeds: We Need to Rethink Discipline in Schools
Jun 19, 2023
In this discussion, Francis Pearman, an Assistant Professor at Stanford University focusing on educational disparities, dives into the harsh realities of school discipline and its impact on the achievement gap. He highlights how Black students are disproportionately affected by punitive measures, leading to long-term consequences like dropout rates and criminal justice involvement. Pearman calls for a shift towards restorative justice and community engagement, advocating for more equitable educational environments where every child can thrive.
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The Widening Socioeconomic Achievement Gap
- The racial achievement gap has slightly declined, while the socioeconomic gap has increased.
- This reflects growing income inequality and increased investment in children by affluent families.
Impact of Collective Racial Bias
- Collective racial bias, particularly anti-black bias, significantly predicts the Black-White test score gap.
- Bias within a community is as impactful as income differences on this gap.
Structural Manifestations of Bias
- Anti-Black biases manifest structurally through segregation, gifted program access, and special education placement.
- These sorting mechanisms contribute to the achievement gap more than individual interactions.