It would be my pleasure to address this point. Adequate funding for this school system with many poor students was gutted when middle-class students started fleeing in the late 60's and early 70's.
Adequate funding for poor kids in a school district should NEVER depend upon the presence of middle-class students. That's the crux of the educational inequity that exist in our country's school district. The poor kids should get what the middle-class kids get, whether they attend the same school buildings or not. If the only way poor kids can get adequate funding is to be in close proximity to middle-class kids, there's something wrong. If the self-same poor kids get displaced because the district wishes to restructure the school in the name of attracting even more middle-class kids, that's a large part of gentrifying, whether it is done with Penn's backing or any other well-heeled institution. I have seen that and although I do not agree with it, I can accept that would be the result. Can you? On 4/6/08 10:21 AM, "Anthony West" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Wilma, > > Can you please address one of my central points directly? It is that > adequate funding for a school system with many poor students needs many > middle-class students as well, in order to guarantee funding for the > needs of the poor. You've been around this block a few times; what do > you think? > > My take on gentrification is that, just like public education, it is > complex. My gut tells me gentrification causes the most collateral > damage when it is fast and poorly planned; it is most beneficial when it > is gradual and thoroughly chewed. > > -- Tony West > > > Wilma de Soto wrote: >> Gentrification in and of itself is not the problem in my opinion. My issue >> is that with gentrification the very people of which you speak are not >> usually around to reap the benefits of same. They are usually displaced. >> This goes beyond West Philly or UC but other inner cities in the US. > ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
