What Impact Does Education Have on Communities?

Education is a fundamental right that every student should have access to. However, historically, students of color, particularly Black and Brown students, as well as students with disabilities, have been marginalized and criminalized within the public school system. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has been actively working to challenge unconstitutional disciplinary policies, combat classroom censorship efforts, and support race-conscious admission policies to promote education equity and increase access to higher education. In this article, we will explore the meaning of education equity, its significance as a civil rights issue, and its impact on communities.

Education Equity: Ensuring Equal Access to Quality Education

Education equity refers to the principle that all students should have equal access to a high-quality education, a safe learning environment, and a diverse student body that enriches the educational experiences of all students. The Supreme Court, in the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education, recognized that education is the foundation of good citizenship. It is through education that young people learn important values about our culture, democratic society, and their own relationships with others. Moreover, education is crucial for future professional success, informed voting, and active participation in democratic processes. It serves as the first experience most people have with the government, making equity in education vital for a democratic society where individuals from all backgrounds are equally included. Without equal opportunities to obtain an education, individuals will face barriers to participation in various aspects of life, including jobs, voting, and social engagement.

Brown v. Board of Education: Addressing Discrimination in Education

The foundational Supreme Court case aimed at addressing discrimination in education nationwide is Brown v. Board of Education. This landmark 1954 decision declared racial segregation in education unconstitutional, as it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. The ACLU played a significant role in the Brown litigation and has continued to advocate for education equity in the decades that followed.

The School-to-Prison Pipeline: A Barrier to Education

The school-to-prison pipeline refers to the disciplinary practices in schools, such as suspensions and referrals to law enforcement, that disproportionately push youth out of the classroom and into the juvenile and criminal legal systems. This pipeline reflects society’s prioritization of incarceration over education, exacerbated by the lack of resources for public schools. From inadequate counseling resources to an overreliance on school-based police officers enforcing harsh zero-tolerance policies, many students, especially students of color and students with disabilities, face isolation, punishment, and exclusion from the education system due to typical behavior associated with childhood and disabilities.

Even a single suspension or disciplinary infraction can have severe consequences for a child’s education. As students move further along the school-to-prison pipeline, these consequences escalate rapidly. In some jurisdictions, students who have been suspended or expelled have no right to education at all. In others, they are sent to disciplinary alternative schools or juvenile detention facilities that provide limited or no educational services. This discriminatory system denies students of color and students with disabilities their right to an education and perpetuates cycles of inequality and injustice.

Disproportionate Impact: Discrimination Against Students of Color and Students with Disabilities

Black and Brown students, as well as students with disabilities, bear the brunt of discrimination in education. They are disproportionately subjected to harsh disciplinary measures and referrals to law enforcement, leading to their removal from the classroom and additional punitive consequences. For instance, during the 2017-2018 school year, Black students accounted for a significant percentage of students referred to law enforcement and arrested at school or during school-related activities, despite representing a smaller proportion of the total student population. This disparity highlights the deeply rooted biases and systemic discrimination that permeate the education system.

Furthermore, schools in the United States are increasingly diverse but also increasingly segregated. This segregation, both by race and socioeconomic status, harms students of all races by limiting their opportunities to learn and interact with one another in diverse school settings. Black and Latinx students often attend intensely segregated schools, which exacerbate disparities in access to advanced courses and college preparatory programs. Consequently, students of color face significant barriers to higher education, perpetuating cycles of inequality and limiting their opportunities for future success.

The Role of Classroom Censorship in Education Inequality

Efforts to censor classroom discussions and learning about race and gender contribute to inequality in education. Instruction about racism and sexism is essential in schools as it equips students to understand and navigate the world around them, particularly in a multicultural society. Attacks on education have evolved from demands to exclude critical race theory from classrooms to more insidious attempts to erase entire concepts from American history. Book bans, transparency laws designed to intimidate educators, and attacks on individual expression undermine the learning environment and hinder students’ ability to gain a comprehensive understanding of systemic oppression. In order to create a society that values inclusion and uplifts marginalized communities, educational institutions must expand culturally relevant instruction, increase funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and protect the freedom of expression and academic freedom of both students and teachers.

The Impact of Recent Supreme Court Decisions on Affirmative Action

Recent Supreme Court decisions have limited the use of affirmative action in college admissions, posing challenges for creating opportunities for students of color. Affirmative action has been an important tool in promoting educational opportunities, but it is not the sole solution. In the absence of affirmative action, colleges and universities must work to identify and eliminate barriers to higher education that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. It is crucial for educational institutions to comply with federal and state civil rights laws and ensure that policies and practices do not unnecessarily restrict opportunities based on race, ethnicity, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Furthermore, schools must cultivate a climate that enables all students to access and engage with educational opportunities, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the entire educational experience.

The ACLU’s Ongoing Work in Education Equity

The ACLU and its affiliates across the country continue to advocate for education equity by challenging discriminatory disciplinary policies, fighting against classroom censorship efforts, and supporting race-conscious admission policies. Through litigation and advocacy, the ACLU aims to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline, protect the rights of marginalized students, and promote inclusive and equitable education. Recent victories, such as the end to charging students with “disorderly conduct” or “disturbing schools” in South Carolina schools, highlight the positive impact of ACLU’s work. Additionally, reports and civil rights complaints, like the ACLU of Idaho’s “Proud to be Brown,” shed light on discriminatory practices in school districts and contribute to the ongoing fight for education equity.

In conclusion, education equity is crucial for achieving systemic equality and fostering inclusive communities. All students deserve equal access to a high-quality education, a safe learning environment, and diverse educational experiences. By challenging discriminatory policies, combatting censorship efforts, and promoting inclusive admissions practices, we can work towards a society where education empowers individuals, dismantles systemic barriers, and uplifts marginalized communities.