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Running head: Philosophy of Education and Social Justice

Philosophy of Education and Social Justice

Darlene Pimentel

Pacific Oaks College and Childrens School

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Introduction

What is social justice?

"Justice is not just one virtue among the lot. It is the cornerstone of human togetherness. To try

to define it is to address the most profound questions ever to challenge the human mind. In the

definition of social justice is contained one's definition of person and of society. Also at issue is

the relationship of the individual to society (Maguire, 1980, p. 57).

What is meant by social justice and its role in the education system? Social justice is a

way of resisting inequality and unfairness so that freedom is achieved. I believe that we can

achieve justice in the educational system by resolving the conflict in the community and

implementing a dignified system so that everyone will have an equal opportunity to a quality

education. In this research, I will be looking at the possible framework of social justice in the

education system. This involves community involvement, conflict resolution and the role of the

government in implementing a system that everyone can benefit equally. I hope to gain new

insight in finding a solution so that quality education is distributed within a community

regardless of their socio-economic background.

Function of Social Justice: Community Conflicts

Education I believe is the foundation for success; however injustice in the education

system has caused inequality among the disadvantage students. This brings me to explore the

following question and challenges: 1) How do we resolve conflict in the community? 2) What

kind of approaches that we educators can create so that every student will have an encouraging

experience in spite of challenges? 3) How can we, as educators, parents, community and
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government bring about social change that can transform a community and peoples lives so that

we can make a difference in their experience?

When I think about education, I honestly dont think of a community and their

involvement as an important process for success. After researching and reading various articles

and studies, I find that community involvement have contributed to stabilizing a communities

needs for equality so that their children also experience quality education.

According to research done by the Chicago Consortium on School Research, parent and

community ties have a systematic and sustained effect on learning outcomes from children and

on whole school improvement when combined with other essential supports such as strong

school leadership, a high quality faculty, community engagement and partnerships, a student-

centered learning climate, and effective instructional guidance for staff. This I believe to be true

and accurate because from my personal experience in my daughter school were a lot of the after-

school programs are both government funded and heavily supported by parents has showed

dramatic success in keeping the children motivated and successful. Its important that we help

parents understand the importance of their collaborative support in working with educators/

teachers so that student is encourage to achieving their educational goals.

This is where I think the role of the government becomes a valuable resources and

support for families and communities to help them come together and work as a whole. With

over 3.3 million students in the United States living in poverty according to national statistic, we

must ensure that poorer communities will have an equal opportunity so that their children will

have a better chance in attaining success in spite the constant challenges of resources.

Function of Social Justice: Framework

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Paulo Freire said, One cannot expect positive results from an educational or political action

program which fails to respect the particular view of the world held by the people. Such a

program constitutes cultural invasion, good intentions notwithstanding.

This quotation highlights the idea of respect, I believe that in any process when serving a

community and working with various communities we need to have a clear understanding of

their needs, most specially a community that lives in poverty, who often times are treated with

disrespect. Its important that they feel the authenticity of our work and service. Its more than

just executing good intentions, its building relationship with the community.

One important factor of social justice is creating an environment where equality is

enforced. A framework for social justice should include the process of understanding the power

dynamics, culture and economic background. Its important to consider that when structuring

framework its more than just building it from data but customizing it in a personal level with the

community because although the idea is for everyone is equality, its also fact that distribution of

resources varies.

A propose framework in social justice school by NCTE in grounded theory: 1)

Reflection, 2) Change, 3) Participation. Reflection refers to unpacking personal truths from

people, ideologies, and contexts to help explain how hegemonic hierarchies are oppressive.

Change refers to becoming more socially aware of how power and privilege that arises from

within institutions in relation to social class, ethnicity, culture, gender, religion, national origin,

language, ability, sexual orientation, gender expression, political beliefs, marital status and/or

education, can be oppressive. Participation teaches how action, agency, and empowerment can

be used to transform ideas, contexts, and may even lead to systemic change.
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Secondly, the U.S. Department of Education enforced schools that receive Title I funding

to create a parent and family engagement policy and school parent compact that encourages both

teachers and parent to work together in support for students and school.

The U.S Department of Education structure the framework in an effort to really

encourage the parents involvement in their childs learning process:

According to the framework, an effective family engagement approach includes five

key process conditions:

Linked to learning: Every communication with parents, whether it is a school event or

parent-teacher conference, should be focused on a childs specific education goals.

Relational: Trust and respect must be built between home and school.

Development: Participants must be empowered and enabled to be confident,

knowledgeable and informed to transform the students education.

Collaborative: Its critical that parents and educators work together in building the

initiative.

Interactive: It needs to be interactive because thats how people learn.

And three organizational conditions:

Systemic: Designed intentionally as part of the schools core academic goals and

considered a high priority.

Integrated: Infused into every facet of training and professional development.

Sustained: Backed by sufficient support and resources.

Programs should aim to build capacity in the following areas:

Capabilities: Support the improved human capital and skills available.

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Connections: Facilitate networks, increase social capital.

Cognition: Change beliefs about roles and attitudes of self and others to students

learning.

Confidence: Encourage each individuals sense of self-efficacy.

In expanding these theories, and process I realize that these processes are necessary because

it acknowledge diversity and empowers different perspective. The role of social justice in the

education system is very complex, however one thing is clear is that when diversity and equality

is embedded in the system there is tremendous chance for change.

I support the process of linked to learning because it encourages parents to be an active

participant and support their childs needs for success and attain their educational goal. Another

process would be development and collaborative because both process requires parents and

teachers to work together and empowers the child that leads to helping them gain confidence in

their abilities to succeed in school.

Lastly, the process systematic and sustained I believe can be two important factor and

process to helping underprivileged communities in participating in these programs, because lack

of resources have a negative impact not just on a child but the family itself. It is important that

both public and private institution to have a common goal that enhances possibilities for every

students. As a parent and my experience with public school , it is so important that parents are

involve in their child/ childrens progress , their strength and confidence comes from our support

and encouragement.

Function of Social Justice: Reform

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Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate integration of the

younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity or it becomes

the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with

reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world (Freire, 2000, p.34).

My interpretation of this quotation is that I believe in the idea that education is an act of

freedom and liberation. Injustice is still very much present in our society and a way to fight

injustice in the system is through liberation, diversity and working together as whole. I feel that

its much more appropriate to focus in finding a solution rather than finding conflicts.

In the previous assignment I watched a film called A Tale of Two School it showed the

complexities of the educational system and how it affect two students with similar backgrounds

yet the availability of resources is very much different. It was amazing to see that these two

students are driven and committed to changing their current situation, in spite their financial

hardship. It was clear that when school and the community are involved, success is very possible.

Reform in the education systems is with great challenges but not impossible. I believe

that when parents, teachers and the community work together the impossible can be achieved.

The role of the government is to ensure that necessary changes is implemented so that both

public and private institution can be held accountable in assuring that rules are followed and that

resources are distributed appropriately .

Conclusion

Education and social justice has always been important to me, in this research I realize

that inequalities in society have continued to impact the underprivileged population in acquiring

quality education. But I also discovered ways to fight against injustice and inequalities. I asked
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these three questions: 1) How do we resolve conflict in the community? 2) What kind of

approaches that we educators can create so that every student will have an encouraging

experience in spite of challenges? 3) How can we, as educators, parents, community and

government bring about social change that can transform a community and peoples lives so that

we can make a difference in their experience?

We can resolve conflict through building partnership with families and the community.

The strength of working together has proven to be effective in creating opportunities for students

as well as providing a better experience in achieving their educational goals.

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