READING GUIDE FOR EQUALITY OF EDUCATIONAL OPORTUNITY AND THE CRITERION Assignment

READING GUIDE FOR EQUALITY OF EDUCATIONAL OPORTUNITY AND THE CRITERION OF EQUAL EDUCATIONAL WORTH - Assignment Example A. The question of equal access arises when viewed from the point of view of race and gender. In the formal structure of educational institutions, no bias exists in admission/imparting education on the basis of race and gender. Such institutions provide opportunity to all students and foster racial and gender equality. Legally sanctioned racial barriers are non-existent. B. The goal of equal educational opportunity needs to transcend the legal boundaries of equality. Equal access is not a self-contained stage. According to Howe â€Å"extraneous psychological and social factors† can impact a person’s educational opportunities. The author cites an example supporting his viewpoint: â€Å"For example, the educational opportunities that a monolingual Chinese-speaking child enjoys in a school that is conducted exclusively in English are hardly equal to those that a monolingual English-speaking child enjoys.†(Howe, 330) As such the system of equal educational opportunities is more important than the features of educational institutions. C. The characteristics that an individual brings to the institution should be utilized in such a manner so that it stands to benefit the other students and the institution as a whole. It should not be considered as a problem but should be converted into an opportunity. As such interaction between individuals and educational institutions assumes importance. Equality attains new dimensions. A. Treating differentially is inclusive of the concept of treating equal. The author substantiates this statement by stating, â€Å"In terms of the preceding example, showing equal respect for the needs, interests and capabilities of monolingual Chinese-speaking children requires that they be treated differently than English-speaking children.†(Howe, 330) B. Some of the characteristics that disadvantage people and need to be