Conclusion

Conclusion- Summary and Interpretation of Findings

The Educational System: "Tipping it towards the underdogs"

There has been a continual decline in the quality and equality of education in recent years. Studies have shown this issue to be related to socioeconomic status, family background, and school environment. The educational system has become skewed towards affluent families and does not consider the current poverty level in America. With education being the fundamental component of success for children, it is imperative that all students are given equal opportunities to be successful. Family education, background and income are causing student achievement to decline in many low SES families. Finally, student role performance encompasses the issues that low SES children have to deal with: socioeconomic status, school factors, and home life factors.

Education has proved to be a difficult issue to attempt to reform. However, the research provided in this report concludes the issues to fall into categories that not only include school environment, but home life and family lifestyle as well. In 2007, 16.7% of high school students dropped out in low SES families in comparison to 3.2% in high income families. This statistic proves the severity of this issue. 

Changing the educational system must start from changes within the classroom. However, in order for there to be a continuous alteration in student academic achievement, other aspects such as home life and family support must change. The school system needs to encourage children to stay in school, even if their families do not. This research determines that the educational system must resort its priorities by “tipping it towards the underdogs” by providing low SES communities with more academic support. Giving children a proper education is not only imperative in reducing the socioeconomic gap in society, but also in improving our country’s future.