Battle Over School Closings Still Being Fought

School Closings are still a hot topic issue this week for many, and the fight continue at Washington D.C. and other cities all over the U.S.

When we covered this issue earlier this week, we noted that many schools are in the process of being closed due to reduced funding, and in an attempt to consolidate space and resources.

However, many activist groups around the U.S. have brought the issue of race and discrimination to this matter.

Many agree that it is difficult decision making to reduce resources, teachers, and facilities for our children. School closings leave our children with less material to aid them in their education.

But activist groups point out that minority groups, the poor, and disabled are being disproportionately affected compared to other student demographics.

The Philadelphia Tribune reported that in Philadelphia the PCAPS (Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools) is increasing pressure on the school district by presenting findings from Research for Action.

The initial data shows that there might be a disproportion towards school in lower socioeconomic communities, and that if the thirteen criteria that the School Reform Commission set were to be used that additional school closings should be planned, and not only the ones that are currently targeted.

“Tellingly, Research for Action noted that, if all schools district-wide were judged by the same criteria, then 18 more would close due to poor building conditions, 53 more would close due to underutilization and a further 57 would be shuttered on account of lagging academic performance.” Reported The Philadelphia Tribune

For the time beings school closings will continue to be an important topic to address on both sides.