Education Gaps, Poverty, and How They Relate to District Impacts and Responsibilities

Abstract

Abstract

Education is an ever-evolving world of possibilities and opportunities.  However, are the possibilities equal for all students?  Funding for education and its need to help students access opportunities that lie ahead of them has been one of the most major controversial topics for educators and legislators in recent years.  Mandates for funding should be a priority for equal opportunity. In this research paper, you may be astonished at how  many factors of inequalities and inequities there are in education. Depending on the state or regional location a district is in ultimately and unfortunately has an impact on funding for schools. Educational standards, like the Common Core Standards, are the foundational outline of educational benchmarks and topics to be taught and required in each classroom.  This idea of standards based reform across the United States was meant to level the playing field for all states to have the same initiatives taught.  Yet, teachers struggle to have the minimum requirements to teach them due to funding shortfalls, especially when taking student needs into consideration at the human level.    Not only This ultimately affects the quality of education a student may receive, as qualified teachers continue to push for qualified pay.  Teachers, students, and communities strive for more with less.  Socioeconomic status and poverty levels within communities play a role in education as well.  For example, parent involvement, grandparents raising grandchildren, mental health, social-emotional health, as well as addiction are at an all-time high when it comes to meeting the needs in our communities, and especially within the classrooms. Research shows that community partnerships and involvement are necessary now more than ever.  It is nearly impossible for teachers or districts to be expected to meet the needs of the vast array of positive outcomes expected when funding falls short in many areas, much less keep educational career morale to a high standard as well.  Partnerships,  volunteers, and community outreach to serve within the schools is something that districts could see solutions to when it comes to educational and funding gaps, as we should all have the same goal in mind: to educate our future leaders and teach them how to be good people, good stewards of money, and have equal opportunities.  It’s time to take teaching back, for the students, the community, the career, and the future.

Keywords: education gaps, funding education, education standards, community, teaching, teacher salary, parental involvement, socioeconomic status and poverty

Year Manuscript Completed

Spring 2026

Senior Project Advisor

Heather Roy

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Integrated Studies Degree

Field of Study

Educational Studies

Document Type

Thesis - Murray State Access only

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