Question.3711 - Hello class. This is the module where you submit the final draft of your essay on Fremont High School. I will not go over the requirements for this essay in this module because I spend a lot of time in the lecture this week breaking down the specific requirements for this assignment. Please read through the lecture this week to find out what the specific requirements for this assignment are.
Answer Below:
Introduction Fremont High School, an essay by Jonathan Kozol, shows the stark realities of education in a challenging urban environment are brought to light. Fremont High School, located in South Central Los Angeles, serves nearly 5,000 students. Even so, the conditions under which they learn are worrisome. The campus is described as a "neighborhood fortress," which is surrounded by an eight-foot steel fence equipped with thick screens on windows to protect it against gunfire (Kozol). This physical environment reflects the broader societal issues permeating the lives of its students and teachers. Academic Challenges The academic performance at Fremont is troubling as many ninth graders still read at a fourth or fifth-grade level, and approximately one-third read at or below a third-grade level. The dropout rate is equally alarming because two-thirds of students fail to accomplish their high school education (Kozol). These statistics address the systemic failures that plague public education in impoverished areas. Kozol emphasizes that these educational shortcomings are not just individual failures but are indicative of a larger societal neglect. Overcrowded Classrooms The classroom environment is another significant issue. With class sizes often exceeding 40 students, teachers struggle to provide individualized attention. Kozol keeps a note of how some classes are held in converted storage closets or portables, and these classes lack basic educational resources (Kozol). This overcrowding contributes to a chaotic learning atmosphere, which is disturbing and makes it difficult for both students and teachers to thrive. The lack of proper facilities and resources further increases the difficulties faced by educators who are already working under challenging conditions. Nutrition and Well-being Nutrition has an important role to play in students productivity. It is not new that to perform well; a student needs proper healthy food. At Fremont, lunch is served in a single sitting for all students. Therefore, it leads to long lines and insufficient time to eat. As per the teachers report, due to lack of time many students do not consume their meals properly, which impacts their ability to concentrate and learn throughout the day (Kozol). Therefore, their ability to perform well automatically gets impacted. Kozol illustrates how these logistical challenges reflect a lack of consideration for student well-being, which further hinders academic success. Conclusion It can be concluded by stating that Kozol's "Fremont High School" serves as an example of the disparities within the American education system. Inadequate resources, overcrowded classrooms, and poor nutrition; together these are very harmful combination which eventually impacts a students educational environment, which leads to an environment where students are set up for failure rather than success. As we reflect on these issues, it becomes evident that systemic change is much required to ensure that all students receive the quality education they deserve, and addressing these challenges is not just an educational imperative but a moral one as well (Kozol). Work cited: Kozol, Jonathan. "Fremont High School." The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America, Crown Publishers, 2005.More Articles From English
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