Inequalities in College Readiness

Abstract

This paper will discuss inequalities in the United States public education system, focusing on how students of color who are in low socioeconomic standing may suffer the consequences of an unequal education system. In this study I will be sampling from a variety of YouTube videos where college students are discussing the inequities they face as a result of public school deficiencies. In addition, I will conduct participant observation of random student gatherings at SUNY Purchase in settings where they may discuss their challenges. Finally, I will also include an auto-ethnography describing my experience with both the public secondary education system and higher education. These three methods will be considered in relation to each other to explore patterns in how students experience the effects of a deficient public secondary education history on their higher education experience.