Neoliberalism

Neoliberalism, introduced 20 plus years ago, refers to the ideology and practices in which economic and social policies are the major driving force in American government’s policies. Pauline Lipman explores and attempts to define this theory in her article, "Education, Policy, Race and Neoliberal Urbanism." She provides readers with insight on how urban youth learning are effected with policies that derived from this ideology like, the No Child Left Behind Act. To Lipman, neoliberalism is an "ensemble of economic and social policies that promote the primary of the market and individual self-interest, unrestricted flows of capital, deep reductions in the cost of labor, sharp retrenchment of the public sphere, and providing for social welfare" (pg46).

The Neoliberal state of mind is grounded on fundamentals that free markets which are regulated less by the government, and more on the market, will boost the economy. As a result, it replaces "support for social welfare with demands for personal responsibility" (p.47). Traditionally, social wealth was from the collective majority (middle class & working class) to private property (the rich). This is detrimental and hypocritical of our government in that instead of being a government for and by the people, the government is actually being run and regulated by private institutions and individuals.

The No Child Left Behind Act, standardized tests must be administered in order to determine whether or not schools are properly educating students. If there is a high percentage of students who do not pass these tests, the school is held accountable for low-test scores and is in jeopardy of losing federal funding. In addition, districts utilize these tests to make decisions as to whether a student should be promoted. Standardized English and mathematics tests determine student promotions. Ironically, these are the two areas where large portion of urban youth cannot perform well in. This policy has aspects of neoliberalism that increases disparities between a majority heterogeneous class to a homogeneous few. Education is the key to success. But, when considering a policy like the No Child Left Behind Act and the future job market, people of color are being weeded out of the system to occupations of low-wages. I once heard and agreed with the statement that the more labels a person has the more difficult it is for them to gain access and move past social constraints. For example, someone who is a woman of color, with a disability. Many would think that schools where there are few textbooks and materials to facilitate students' learning; more aid would assist them to boost achievement scores. In fact, schools are held accountable and penalized when not meeting the standards set by those in power.

The picture at the bottom clearly shows the impact of neoliberalism and schools. Free markets will run schools tailoring them to private interest and gains not collective by the working majority..