Answer to Question #205500 in English for Jake

Question

Write an argumentative essay of not more than TWO pages in which you argue for or against the ideas on decolonising education expressed by the author in the above text.

Your essay should:

• have a clear structure: Introduction, Body and Conclusion;

• show your position or perspective on the topic;

• present a coherent and logical argument supported by evidence, such as your observations, experiences, and other sources, and

• demonstrate your knowledge of written academic English.

Answer 1

Decolonizing education means rebuilding a school system that supports all students, staff, and teachers. A system that puts forth the needs of all students and is responsive to the particular needs of each and every child. Decolonization is the dismantling of colonial systems that were established during the period of time when a nation maintains dominion over dependent territories. Decolonizing education means rebuilding a school system that supports all students, staff, and teachers. A system that puts forth the needs of all students and is responsive to the particular needs of each and every child. Currently, students of color and low-income students are at a disadvantage in our education system. This is due to decades of neglect from the highest points of our education system. We need to provide space for more representation in all aspects of the system. Whether that be in government advocating for progressive Equity based policy, to teachers of color in the classroom who look and represent the ever growing diverse populations in our school buildings.

Students and teachers of color are assets to our education system and we need to start supporting them. For far too long teachers and kids of color have been pushed out of the narrative and seen as outsiders in the classroom and the conversation, instead of assets to education as a whole! When students of color and low-income students succeed, ALL students succeed. Education becomes stronger when students succeed, and teachers have the support of each other and the overall system behind them. It is nearly impossible for anyone to learn and grow in a positive way in a stressful, isolating environment. Education is supposed to be for everyone, why make it more difficult for some to receive it over others due to ethnicity.

Building an equitable system will open up a better environment to attract and retain teachers of color in the workforce, therefore, we’ll have more diversity in classrooms that actually represent the students they serve. Teachers of color are assets and can bring a unique perspective and experience to education. They can provide the knowledge to speak on the history and present-day culture within education. All students not just students of color benefit by having teachers of color in the classroom. It is also important to be educated and informed in other cultures outside of your own. This allows for everyone to have a better understanding of each other’s backgrounds, perspectives and ways of life.

In order to begin to decolonize education, we need to have an open dialogue on race/racism and bias to start to change the system as a whole. Everyone deserves a fair chance and a great education despite ethnicity, zip code, and income. Until our education system is changed we will not achieve success for every student. Every Student Succeeds Act means nothing if we aren’t implementing practices and changes in policy to better our school system for all who are within it