Inequality in Education Funding in the Film The Corridor of Shame

John Raw's theory of justice, applied correctly, brings fourth a very convincing argument in regards to what we should do to create equality in the education system. The video The Corridor of Shame sheds light, which I was not aware of, on the inequality of education funding in South Carolina. Some of the students in these school districts cannot spell their names, basic elementary words, or even read simple sentences. Although it is currently rising, the graduation rate was initially at 49% when the Supreme Court ruling was taking place. Much of the failure to educate these students comes down to a few simple reasons: teacher turnover rate is extremely high, transportation to and from school is unreliable, and facilities are outdated and rather unsafe. On November 14, 2014 the State Supreme Court, by vote of 3-2 reversed the decision of the trial court. An excerpt from the court trial states the plaintiffs reasoning for challenging the state of South Carolina:

The Plaintiff Districts contend that the Defendants provided insufficient inputs to educate students in their districts. In support of this contention, the Plaintiff Districts pointed to certain outputs as evidence that the State failed to offer the constitutionally mandated opportunity. In our view, there is a clear disconnect between the inputs and outputs of the education system. (pg. 3) The court excerpts go on to rule that the defendants indeed did not give proper inputs to result in the outputs expected. With this in mind, John Rawl's theory of justice can potentially be well applied to the situation to create a fair decision on how to properly fund all of the school districts. Rawls says in his theory, "Certain principles of justice are justified because they would be agreed to in an initial situation of equality" (Wolff 1). What he means by initial situation of equality is that if one were to take a step back and not have any affiliation to race, gender, wealth, etc. then one would mak

e an unbiased, rational decision for the good of himself. For he does not know who or what he is, so his decision would most likely be just in the fact that it helps everyone. He could be the 1%, or he could be one of the poor who need help, but regardless he does not know so he will make the rational decision so that he is not hurt by his own decision. To translate this to the Abbeville I ruling, the Supreme Court should rule on this as if they might be one of the students being affected by the low education funding. This would allow for a fair and just decision. Plato on the other hand sheds light on justice in a different way. He states, "We stated, and often repeated, if you remember, that everyone must pursue one occupation of those in the city, that for which his nature best fitted him... Further, we have heard many people say, and often said ourselves, that justice is to perform one's own task and not to meddle with that of others" (Porter 42). I believe that Plato is making the argument that everyone has an occupation that will best suit him. Therefore, everyone needs the best education, or training to fulfill this most suitable occupation.

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So, in regard to the education funding in the State of South Carolina, everyone must have equal chance to be able to strive to attain his or her best suitable job. If the funding is not there and they were at a disadvantage and in turn makes our society unjust. Although this theory is not similar to Rawls' theory of justice, they both make the point that society needs to be just in all aspects. Education is the keystone to civil society. The school districts in the Corridor of Shame, and many other districts like it, need educational funding to keep a gap in education from forming and allowing the keystone in our society to become weak and crumble.

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