Modern Social Problems

Education is a very important resource in today’s world. It seeks to curb illiteracy which is a setback to development in this century of technology. Education in the United States has gone through much evolution and the privileges being enjoyed today are as a result of someone’s effort. This has influenced such a treasure to be easily accessible to all, despite color, race, financial stability or social status in the society. [1]
How public schools in United States are funded
Initially, public schools in the United States used to be funded by charity to provide education for the poor. Some amounts of funds are nowadays sourced from the state and federal levels .The funding is multi-layered and a local tax base is responsible for supporting the schools. It is a concern that of late that the federal government reduces the financial support given to schools therefore making the schools encounter tough adjustments because the money promised are never remitted.

Open admission
Open Admission was started in New York City after politicians met to discuss over the same. After the meetings they consented that open admissions policy was good .This policy allowed every New York City high school graduate a place in the CUNY. This was meant for the two year colleges only. This idea was not so good to the African Americans and the Latino Activists. This was because they wanted students in the top half of their high school class could only be admitted in senior colleges. They proposed that even those students who had point average of eighty could also be enrolled in senior colleges.
The open admissions policy succeeded in 1969 .The students of color were then enrolled in senior colleges. Though this was a good idea, there was opposition from the U.S vice president on this issue in 1971.In the early 1970’s CUNY senior colleges started restricting the admissions. Despite this opposition open admissions demonstrated that when people are given opportunities they excel. This open admissions policy acknowledge that children grow up in different social environments and conditions .It acknowledged that many children of color attended much poorer schools. This policy ensures that universities give equal chance to all students including children of color so that they can have a chance to develop their minds and pursue dreams .In short open admission is a social justice. [2]
Why Marxist conflict theorist sees education as a means of maintaining the ‘status quo’
The Marxist conflict theory focuses on exploitation of power and the means to achieve power in the society. The reason why Marx sees education as a means of maintaining the ‘status quo’ is because the education system tries to hinder equal opportunity to all in the admissions to institutions of learning. He concurs that the education system may in a way limit the children of color to attend much poorer schools with much poorer learning facilities .Schools only give admissions to students considering their physical and financial conditions in the community He reasons that once the poor children in the society are only allowed to go to second year colleges only, it means that they will only get low income jobs hence maintain the status quo in the society.
Concern of educators in urban and poorly funded schools in relationship to technology in curriculum
Educators in urban poorly funded schools are concerned about the availability of resources to source the right equipment required by the curriculum. For example educators find it hard to teach technologically related courses such as computers. The educators find that such facilities incase are available, the ratio of the equipment to students is not balanced. In some of the urban poorly funded schools can find five students sharing one computer. The curriculum requires that these students are taught this technology in depth in this subject. These students are competing with the rest from well funded schools. It is obvious that those from well funded funded schools perform better because they are well equipped with technology in right quantities. [3]
Why ‘Functionalist Perspectives’ sees problems in American Education as symptom of social disorganization
The problems like declining test scores in tests which are much lower compared to other countries are attributed to social disorganization. This is because research shows that most of the students abuse drugs and alcohol. It sees that some of the problems are as a result of parents divorcing hence no adequate parental guidance to children concerning studies. Most of the students do take part time jobs hence divided attention is given to studies. Most parents have two –careers which consume large percentage of their time. Such parents have no time for counter checking their children’s studies. Problems in the admissions are attributed to social status of students since the education system seeks to maintain the status quo. [4]
Conclusion
It is good to acknowledge that Education in the United States is in better state than before, though there is room for improvement. The open admission policy is a plus to the system and its benefits are evident. It shows that when people are given equal opportunities they excel. It is important to note that the education system is playing a bigger role in maintaining the ‘status quo’.
References
Kosar, K. R. (2005): Failing Grades: The Federal Politics of Education Standards. Rienner, Prentice Hall, New York
Parkerson, D. H. and Parkerson, J. A. (2001): Transitions in American Education: A Social History of Teaching. Routledge, New York
[1] Parkerson, D. H. and Parkerson, J. A. (2001): Transitions in American Education: A Social History of Teaching. Routledge, New York
[2] Kosar, K. R. (2005): Failing Grades: The Federal Politics of Education Standards. Rienner, Prentice Hall, New York
 
 
[3] Parkerson, D. H. and Parkerson, J. A. (2001): Transitions in American Education: A Social History of Teaching. Routledge, New York
[4] Kosar, K. R. (2005): Failing Grades: The Federal Politics of Education Standards. Rienner, Prentice Hall, New York