What are Michigan schools doing to address the racial achievement gap?
Wayne State University Sociology Professor David Merolla appeared on WDET's Detroit Today segment to discuss the racial achievement gap in today's educational system.
Joined by a panel of experts, Merolla explored achievement comparisons in urban and suburban settings and discussed the factors that contribute to racial inequity in schools. The panel explored concepts of bias, stereotypes, diversity, instructor consciousness and historical design of the US educational system.
The group was assembled to share experiences and ideas on the question, "What are Michigan Schools Doing to Address the Racial Achievement Gap?" Panelists examined potential steps toward scholastic equity and conveyed observations from their respective areas of education. Instructor training, acknowledgment of student identities, availability of resources and educational policy were topics brought up by the group. Panelists believed that by using some of these subjects as points of analysis, educational establishments can find ways to narrow the racial achievement gap present in some of today's institutions.
Race and sociology of education are two of Merolla's research specialties. He has dedicated significant time and effort examining racial disparities in higher education. During the discussion, Merolla offered a thought-provoking notion that he finds to be in congruence with the research he has done over the years. When questioned about racial disparity in the specific realm of Michigan education, Merolla offered the assertion that "It's important to consider that the education system is not independent of the broader society."