In my second year within the American University School of Public Affairs Leadership Program, I conducted extensive research on the disparities within the United States’ educational system, especially with the widespread transition to online learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, during the fall semester, I tackled the research question: “Has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the achievement gap and retention rates for low-income, Hispanic and Black students?”
With this question in mind, I discovered that although the US education system is intended to provide equal learning opportunities for all students, the academic achievement gap, which refers to the discrepancies in academic performance and thus, the success of particular sectors of students, has remained at a persistent, unchanged rate for the last 65 years. Furthermore, the widespread transition to online learning due to our current pandemic has further perpetuated and exposed the unfortunately long-term education system’s deeply-rooted institutional disparities.
Based on my fall research, I decided to partner with a well-known DMV non-profit, Higher Achievement and launched a social media initiative to inform the general public about the national education crisis, engage the public in fundraising for Higher Achievement and coordinate a remote charity run. By the end of my social media initiative, I acquired 112 followers and raised 200 dollars.
With both the many successes and few shortcomings due to the current pandemic, I have three major takeaways from this social action project. First off, as I reflect on this project, I have recognized how important developing a written plan was to the success of my action project. An effective written plan is one that gives the organizer enough time to complete their desired goals and is thus, adaptable. Secondly, an organizer must always assume that there are issues that one will least expect and thus, not initially account for. However, with a flexible, adaptable plan, the organizer will be able to effectively modify their objectives while still achieving success. Lastly, it is important that I remembered that engagement is a two-way street. Therefore, although it is important for the organizer to research, plan and develop, a portion of the project’s plan relies on an engaging audience.