Why Nikole Hannah-Jones is wrong about failing schools
No institution in American life has perpetuated “systemic racism” quite as effectively as the big-city public school system. And no institution has fought harder to preserve segregated communities more than teachers unions.
TL;DR
- The author criticizes Nikole Hannah-Jones's decision to send her daughter to a struggling public school, viewing it as an unnecessary sacrifice.
- The article argues that prioritizing one's own children's education is a natural parental instinct and not inherently immoral.
- It posits that systemic problems in big-city public schools are perpetuated by teachers unions and bureaucratic inefficiencies, not just racism.
- Despite significant per-pupil spending, many New York City schools have low test scores, indicating that money alone is not the solution.
- The article contrasts New York's struggles with Mississippi's improvements, attributing them to educational reforms and accountability rather than spending.
- Teachers unions are depicted as organizations that protect their interests and block reforms, contributing to the cycle of failure.
- School district boundaries are noted to contribute to segregation by pricing families out of areas with good schools.