Abstract
While de jure segregation is illegal in the United States, many school systems still enforce a form of de facto segregation, based on various factors including socio-economic status. This causes disparity in educational outcomes, especially when examined through the lens of skills identified by the partnership for 21st century learning (i.e., critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity). A digital divide, which has been created by unequal access to technology, is directly responsible for an uneven playing field for disadvantaged students, and the COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated existing inequalities. Suggestions regarding how to reduce the digital divide are shared; implementing these might create a more equitable learning environment for all students.
TopIntroduction
The 21st century requires a new set of skills because students must be able to utilize their knowledge and contribute to the global economy (Voogt & Roblin, 2012, p.16). The Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21) has identified competencies and skills that are relevant in this new age; these are the four C’s (Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity). Critical Thinking utilizes inductive and deductive reasoning to identify, analyze, investigate, and evaluate information and draw conclusions based on evidence and reasoning. Communication is the ability to share thoughts in a manner that is clearly understood. Forms of communication include written, oral, or electronic. Collaboration is the ability to partner or work with someone, exercising flexibility and dedication to achieve delete the required goals. Finally, creativity is the ability to innovate and effectively utilize various idea-creation techniques, including brainstorming (Ravitz et al., 2012). The four C’s were recognized with the assistance of educators, business and government leaders, to highlight the skills students need to succeed in their professional lives, and the support systems that will help them achieve 21st century learning outcomes. They complement knowledge skills framed within the context of academic standards, and the interdisciplinary themes that are typically imparted in schools and help students apply content knowledge to solve problems (Kay, 2010). To prepare all students to compete in a global economy, educators must integrate four C’s into their school curricula, so all students have an equal chance to succeed. However, despite significant progress under the umbrella of efforts to promote the Equal Rights Amendment, economically disadvantaged students in the United States remain trapped in a cycle of poverty and school segregation. As is explored within this article, gaps are evident across efforts in American schools developed and addressed skillsets which are necessary for students to become proficient in the four C’s and consequently, for success in the 21st century.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Summer Slide: A decline in children's academic knowledge and skills that might occur during the summer months when children are not attending school. The summer slide may be due to lack of educational resources or the availability of summer enrichment programs especially for children from low socio-economic backgrounds resulting in disadvantaged students lose a month of academic learning each summer.
Redlining: The practice was originally to demarcate low socio-economic minorities and black neighborhoods that were not deemed suitable for loans or further development. This concept can be extended to technology wherein schools are divided or segregated based on technological resources available to their students.
Digital Divide: Inequalities between those students who have ready access to technology, including broadband internet and computers compared to those students who do not have these resources.
Immigrant: A person who leaves their country of birth to move to a new country, often for better economic opportunities.
Refugee: Refugees are those individuals who seek asylum in another country due to the fear of being persecuted. This can be due to religion, war, politics, or membership within a certain group.
Homework Gap: A student barrier that occurs because they cannot complete their homework since they lack access to broadband and computers or other resources to successfully complete their assignments on time.