Branch Out has offered several alternative breaks focused on issues of educational inequality, from national trips working with schools in North Carolina and Washington, DC to the international alternative break with William & Mary Students for Belize Education in Caye Caulker, Belize.
Educational inequality involves dynamics between teachers, administration, families and students; it also includes the intersection of issues such as poverty, affordable housing, privilege and national, state and local policy.
Articles
Bridging the Book Gap, good.is, November 2012
“Firestorm Erupts Over Virginia’s Educational Goals,” npr.org, November 2012
“Back to School,” This American Life, September 2012
“Education Funding and Low-Income Children: A Review of Current Research,” Kevin Carey, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, cbpp.org, November 2002.
“What Parents Really Want” Newsweek, October 2010
“North Carolina Faces Claims of Resegregation” Newsweek, April 2010
“Why We Can’t Get Rid of Failing Teachers” Newsweek, March 2010
“Schoolyard Brawl” about teachers’ unions, Newsweek, March 2010
“What I’ve Learned” by Michelle Rhee Newsweek, December 6, 2010
Films
“I Am a Promise: The Children of Stanton Elementary School,” 1993, Directed by Susan Raymond. Won Academy Award for Best Documentary.
“Waiting for Superman,” 2010, Directed by Davis Guggenheim.
“Our School,” Mona Nicoara, 2011.
“Whatever It Takes,” Directed by Christopher Wong. A deeply emotional story of dedicated teachers and cutting-edge ideas, united in their vision to restore hope to a community. 60 minutes, 2010.
Tools
Distribution of Bachelor’s Degree Recipients
By county, this interactive map allows you to view educational attainment by race, gender, and income.
Education’s Role in Creating a Civically-Engaged Society
From the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Websites
www.good.is is chock full of articles about educational inequality and other social issues
Focus on International Language Education
Teaching English Abroad – The Top 7 Tips to Follow A paper written by a Branch Out participant about how to approach teaching English as part of your alternative break
Focus on Early Childhood Education
Podcasts
This American Life, “Going Big” – the first act highlights the Harlem Children’s Zone and its CEO, Geoffrey Canada… and the importance of early childhood education
Branch Out Alternative Breaks 