Neoliberalism is a term that I was wholly unaware of; I had no idea what it meant or what it possibly meant in the context of U.S. society. Interestingly, like the culture of power, neoliberalism gives a name to what happens and is happening in American society. Neoliberalism, according to Pauline Lipman (2008) in her work “Education Policy, Race, and Neoliberal Urbanism”, is “… an ensemble of economic and social policies that promote the primacy of the market and individual self-interest….” In other words, in our capitalistic thought, the only way to solve societal problems (i.e. economic, public spheres, schools, anything) runs along the idea of either increasing or decreasing government control in order to solve problems. Furthermore, to the detriment of public schools, using market logic to find a solution to every problem including the problems with public schools.
A prime example of this market logic is the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) Act, according to NCLB if a school is failing standardized testing they lose government funding as a punishment to do better next time otherwise they will have to close the school. Let’s think about this, why is this ridiculous logic for improving learning in American schools? Schools get funds from the community in which they are serving, thus if it is a poor community then the school will be poor as well and will not have the money to give students access to full educational opportunities – which is not the schools nor anyone else’s in the community’s fault. Wealthier neighborhoods, which in turn have wealthier schools, are able to afford the resources needed to successfully prepare for the standardized exams; thus they pass and are rewarded with government funding. Resources are very important and they include; teachers, computers, staff, facility maintenance, new texts and books, a library, among others and because the poorer schools do not have access to these resources their students perform poorly on the exams.
This is a vicious cycle that continues to increase the gap between the poor and wealthy. Because the people in poor communities continue to get substandard educations forcing them into compliant minimum wage labor jobs, while wealthier communities thrive in the “knowledge is power” age acquiring high paying knowledge-based jobs. Students in the poor communities essentially are unable to compete with students from wealthier communities. Interestingly, mainly minorities and poor White people make up the poor communities further increasing the achievement gap – something the NCLB was enacted to eliminate. It is imperative to remember that there are many other ways to solve societal problem, not just the binary of market logic. I find myself that when I reflect on this idea of “other solutions” it is really hard and that I am so stuck in the “market logic” and I had no idea. I know that NCLB doesn’t work and is making the situation worse but what are the other solutions and what, as teachers, can we do about it.
A prime example of this market logic is the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) Act, according to NCLB if a school is failing standardized testing they lose government funding as a punishment to do better next time otherwise they will have to close the school. Let’s think about this, why is this ridiculous logic for improving learning in American schools? Schools get funds from the community in which they are serving, thus if it is a poor community then the school will be poor as well and will not have the money to give students access to full educational opportunities – which is not the schools nor anyone else’s in the community’s fault. Wealthier neighborhoods, which in turn have wealthier schools, are able to afford the resources needed to successfully prepare for the standardized exams; thus they pass and are rewarded with government funding. Resources are very important and they include; teachers, computers, staff, facility maintenance, new texts and books, a library, among others and because the poorer schools do not have access to these resources their students perform poorly on the exams.
This is a vicious cycle that continues to increase the gap between the poor and wealthy. Because the people in poor communities continue to get substandard educations forcing them into compliant minimum wage labor jobs, while wealthier communities thrive in the “knowledge is power” age acquiring high paying knowledge-based jobs. Students in the poor communities essentially are unable to compete with students from wealthier communities. Interestingly, mainly minorities and poor White people make up the poor communities further increasing the achievement gap – something the NCLB was enacted to eliminate. It is imperative to remember that there are many other ways to solve societal problem, not just the binary of market logic. I find myself that when I reflect on this idea of “other solutions” it is really hard and that I am so stuck in the “market logic” and I had no idea. I know that NCLB doesn’t work and is making the situation worse but what are the other solutions and what, as teachers, can we do about it.
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