Susan Conley-Boutonnet CHHS 302: Professional Writing for the Health and Human Services

1. Susan Conley-BoutonnetCHHS 302: Professional Writing for the Health and Human Services Addressing the Educational Disparities Facing Youth in the United States

2. Professional Interest • A desire to improve the lives of children within my community. • Observations made while being involved. • Lack of resources available.

3. Critical Situation • Existing inequality in education • Disenfranchised families • Expanding gaps between socioeconomic levels in education Brunswick Elementary School Hickman High School

4. Rhetorical Timing • Budget crisis facing schools • Inability to achieve the “American Dream” • Widespread dissatisfaction in funding allocations

5. Causes • Majority public funding based on property taxes • Private funding dependent on parents • Parents differing levels of ability

6. Effects • Non-conformity in programs offered • Sub-standard facilities for some schools • Segregation • Diminished opportunities for some • Division within communities

7. Community Connection Achieving change requires input and action from: Parents Policy makers Politicians Tax payers

8. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

9. References Clark, C. (1995, January 20). Parents and school: Will more parental involvement help students?. CQ Researcher, 5(3), 49-72. doi: cqresrre1995012000 Google Images. (2011, September). Circle of color parents. [image]. Retrieved from: http://beaconpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Circle-of-Color-Parents.jpg Horsford, S. (2011). Learning in a burning house: Educational inequality, ideology, and (dis)integration. New York, NY: Teachers College Press. Johnson, H. (2006). The American dream and the power of wealth: Choosing schools and inheriting inequality in the land of opportunity. New York, NY: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. Jost, K. (2004, April 23). School desegregation: How can the promise of equal education be fulfilled?. CQ Researchers, 14(15), 345-372. doi:cqresrre2004042300 Koch, K. (1999, December 10). Reforming school funding: Is spending less on poor students unconstitutional?. CQ Researcher, 9(46), 1041-1064. doi: cqresrre1999121000 Kozol, J. (2005). The shame of the nation: The restoration of apartheid schooling in america. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press. LDF: Defend Educate Empower. (2012, January 3). Case: Little Rock School District v. Lorene Joshua. [photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.naacpldf.org/case-issue/little-rock-school-district-v-lorene-joshua Lucas, S. (1999). Tracking inequality: Stratification and mobility in American high schools. New York, NY: Teachers College Press. Martin, C. (2012, February 16). Parents call for equal school facilities. Columbia Daily Tribune. [photograph]. http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2012/feb/16/parents-call-for-equal-school-facilities/ McCollum, C. (2011, October 31). In Federal officials visit dilapidated Gary school buildings. NWI Times. [photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/ gary/ 8f9d71d2-a26a-5f39-b0a3-579dab9f29fa.html Minnesota Public Radio. (2008, June 11). To solve racial disparities, parents, schools call truce. Minnesota Public Radio. [Graph]. Retrieved fromhttp://minnesota.publicradio.org /display/web/2008/06/11/ covenant/ Suppes, M., & Wells, C. (2009). The social work experience: An introduction to social work and social welfare (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education Incorporated. Walters, J. (1993, August 27). School funding: Should affluent districts be forced to aid poorer neighbors?. CQ Researcher, 3(32), 745-768. doi: cqresrre1993082700