The Story of School Part 3

The third part of this PBS series continued the cyclical pattern of education. The 1950's begins another large push for reform in the school system. The rights of students were disputed and a need for equal education was pursued. America was still discriminating against anyone who wasn't white, male, and proven "bright" by the IQ test. Go figure.

In the traditional way, America jumped to change everything suddenly. The government demanded equality for people of all races by ending segregation. They demanded equal rights for men and women and proper education for students with disabilities. They banned discrimination, threatening schools with a loss of funds if they didn't integrate. Unfortunately, legal change isn't always enough to change minds and the segregation still continued, and while it's not as drastic as it used to be, tracking still separates students from one another and there are not equal chances for education for all.

When I watched this segment someone spoke about change in America. I don't remember who it was, but I agreed with what he said. In essence he expressed that the best ideas haven't been tried because we keep resisting. We tire of the battle and so the changes we make are never quite enough. Education needs to change and this section of the documentary highlighted many steps we have taken as a country to try to ensure equality. It's not over yet, and I think, as long as we keep that in mind, the background this show provides in quite useful in showing us where we've been and where we've yet to go.