The issue of students receiving equal education has been a popular topic among debates. Since the mid-1980's state legislatures, state education departments, and courts have dismantled local school boards and administrative structures. Takeovers by courts and state governments are intended to lessen the bureaucratic routine and make room for people who have new ideas. As the effort to improve performance of urban schools continues there seems to be no effective change as of yet. In fact no one knows exactly how to solve all of the problems of big-city public school systems. However, it is obvious that the future of millions of young city dwellers advancement in employability and society is at stake. That is why something needs to be done to improve the quality of education for students who have no choice but to attend urban schools.
Urban schools are at the bottom of the ladder when comparing student achievement with other schools. Students in urban schools just are not getting the type of education that is needed. They are being beaten by students in rural, private, and suburban schools. "The average state standardized test scores were five points lower in urban schools than that of other schools" (Lippman 28). That may not sound drastic, but it is a problem. It is obvious from test scores that urban students are not getting as good of an education as those who attend rural or suburban schools. .
In fact the problem of low test scores goes deeper than that. Urban schools also have a lower graduation rate than those of rural and suburban schools. "Only 73 percent of students in urban schools graduate compared to 80 percent of students in other schools" (Lippman 32). This in turn results in an economic disadvantage when these students attempt to compete in the "real world". Society has progressed to the extent that most people must have a high school diploma to even be considered for most positions.
