Service Sparks: Inequities in Education

Grade Level: 
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Keywords: 
Act of Kindness
Community Service Project
Equity
Fairness
Research
SimpleSafeService
Ignite meaningful action that lights up the world through "Service Sparks" youth projects! Research different ways inequity showed up during the pandemic. Use writing to communicate an idea to make one inequity a little more fair.

SERVICE SPARKS

Ignite meaningful action that lights up the world through "Service Sparks" youth projects!

 

The pandemic revealed inequities in education. Some young people have parents helping with their work, full internet, and a safe environment. Some young people don’t have internet or sufficient technology. Some are home alone. Some are worried about the safety of family members. Some young people need books and healthy food. Some families don't have an income.  

 

  1. Reflect on something that has been hard for you or someone else. Alternatively, reflect on something you were grateful for during the pandemic. 
  2. Choose one of the ways people were affected differently because of their situation. Conduct research on cause, effect, available resources, and potential solutions. 
  3. Discuss with your family ways you can find out more about needs and learn what local organizations are doing to help. 
    • Research what organizations are doing to help families in the area.
    • Call or contact your school to ask about how they are meeting needs. 
  4. Is there someone you know that is struggling with academics or mental health? Make a flyer listing the things you can do to help people make connections. Leave a personal letter at their door with your flyer and phone number. The letter should be kindly worded to say you are thinking about them and something along the lines of “This pandemic has been a struggle for so many people; let me know if there is anything I can do for you.” 
  5. Learn more with a Learning a Give lesson, we suggest one of these: 

Reflection: Discuss the difference between equity (the quality of being fair and impartial) and equality (the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities). 


Explore more Service Sparks projects:

SERVICE SPARKS


Learning to Give ... 

  • educates youth about philanthropy, the civil society sector, and the importance of giving their time, talent and treasure for the common good (knowledge),
  • equips youth by encouraging philanthropic behavior and experience (skills), and,
  • empowers youth to take voluntary citizen action for the common good in their classrooms, lives and communities (behavior).