From The New Yorker · Jay Caspian Kang · · 1m 40s
Hannah-Jones’ School Choice Crisis
A journalist’s decade-long school journey reveals why individual choices can’t fix public schools.
In brief
A journalist’s decade-long school journey reveals why individual choices can’t fix public schools. Nikole Hannah-Jones’ experience shows that systemic issues in public schools require collective action, not individual privilege. Originally reported by The New Yorker.
Nikole Hannah-Jones starts school search
Ten years ago, Hannah-Jones chose a struggling Brooklyn school for her daughter.
“A New York Times reporter in a high-poverty school fucking changes the school, right?”
Hannah-Jones’ school choice logic
She believed her privilege could fix underfunded schools with engaged parents.
“There are certain things that are just not going to happen in that school.”
Najya’s early school struggles
Najya couldn’t get emails from teachers at P.S. 307.
“I can’t even manage to see her daughter’s schoolwork.”
Middle school at Unison
Hannah-Jones sent Najya to Unison, a school for low-income students.
“Unison serves low-income students and students of color through rigorous instruction.”
Najya’s math struggles
Najya scored below grade level on a math test in fourth grade.
“She was first alerted to Najya’s math struggles when she scored below grade level.”
Hannah-Jones’ parenting shift
She paid for math tutoring after realizing her daughter’s needs.
“I need outside math instruction.”
The school choice crisis
Hannah-Jones questions if individual choices can fix systemic school inequality.
“As long as we continue to rescue our own children from failing schools, there is no absolution here.”
Systemic school challenges
P.S. 307 spends $52,349 per student with a 9:1 teacher ratio.
“P.S. 307 spends an average of $52,349 per student.”
Unison’s academic results
45% of Unison students scored at or above grade level in reading.
“Forty-five percent of students at Unison received a 3 or 4 on the state reading exam.”
Teachers’ contextual challenges
Teachers at P.S. 307 often act as social workers for struggling students.
“Teachers at P.S. 307 double as social workers for poor kids with complicated home problems.”
The Tuscaloosa comparison
Tuscaloosa split schools after lifting integration, worsening segregation.
“Tuscaloosa had one large high school before splitting into three segregated schools.”
Oakland’s school reform
Oakland created small schools to improve equity but saw enrollment drop 40%.
“Oakland added more than forty new small schools with enrollment dropping by more than forty percent.”
Hannah-Jones’ new stance
She admits individual choices can’t fix systemic school inequality.
“It will take decades of counterproductive work to provide quality education for all students.”
The math test paradox
Standardized tests show gaps between grades and real understanding.
“Tests show the gaps between subjective grades and real understanding.”
Systemic solutions needed
Large integrated schools with tutoring can improve equity without individual fixes.
“Make schools big, make them regimented, and make them impervious to graduate school whims.”
What happens next
Hannah-Jones’ experience shows systemic change requires collective action.
“We should still want public schools that educate everyone.”
The short version
Nikole Hannah-Jones’ experience shows that systemic issues in public schools require collective action, not individual privilege.
