Malcolm Gladwell’s essay, “Marita’s Bargain,” tells the story of Marita, a young girl from the South Bronx who received a scholarship to attend a prestigious prep school. According to Gladwell, Marita’s success was due to her participation in a program that offered intensive tutoring, long school days, and a sense of community.
However, Gladwell’s essay also raises questions about the broader issues of education and upward mobility. While merit-based scholarships like Marita’s are seen as a way to provide opportunities to students who might not otherwise be able to afford college, there are numerous challenges and limitations to this approach.
In this article, we will explore Gladwell’s argument and the ways it intersects with these broader debates. We will examine the limitations of merit-based scholarships, the systemic barriers that may prevent deserving students from receiving scholarships, and the role of programs like KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) in providing support and community to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Key Takeaways
- Gladwell’s essay tells a compelling story of a young girl from the South Bronx who received a scholarship to attend a prestigious prep school.
- The success of Marita and others like her raises important questions about the efficacy of merit-based scholarships as a means of providing opportunities to disadvantaged students.
- Merit-based scholarships, while valuable, face limitations and challenges. Systemic barriers may prevent deserving students from receiving scholarships, and certain fields of study, such as the arts or athletics, may not be eligible for scholarships.
- Programs like KIPP provide intensive support and community to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, but there are concerns about the long-term sustainability of such programs.
Rethinking Opportunities
Gladwell’s essay centers on the story of Marita and her participation in a program called “KIPP,” which offered intensive support and community to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. According to Gladwell, the KIPP program was a key factor in Marita’s success. However, it is important to recognize that Marita and others like her face systematic barriers and limitations that may prevent them from receiving scholarships and achieving success.
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of equity in education. While merit-based scholarships are one approach to promoting educational equity, there are numerous challenges and limitations to this approach. For example, systemic inequalities may prevent deserving students from receiving scholarships. Additionally, some fields of study, such as the arts or athletics, may not be eligible for scholarships, leaving talented students without access to the same opportunities as their peers.
Finding the Right Formula
While the limitations of merit-based scholarships and other approaches to promoting upward mobility may seem discouraging, it is important to note that there are alternative approaches. Programs like KIPP and other community-based organizations offer intensive support and community to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
These programs can be incredibly helpful in providing the academic and emotional support necessary for students to succeed. However, there are concerns about the long-term sustainability of these programs. While they may be successful in providing support to a small group of students, it is important to address broader structural issues that may prevent all students from accessing these opportunities.
The Importance of Broader Perspectives
Overall, Gladwell’s essay on Marita’s bargain raises important questions about the ways we think about education and opportunities. While merit-based scholarships like Marita’s are valuable, we must recognize the limitations and challenges of this approach. Similarly, while programs like KIPP offer valuable support and community, we must be mindful of the broader structural issues that may prevent all students from accessing these opportunities.
Ultimately, promoting educational equity and providing opportunities for success requires a broader perspective. It requires recognizing the myriad challenges facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds and addressing the structural inequalities that prevent them from achieving success. By doing so, we can ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are merit-based scholarships a good way to provide opportunities to disadvantaged students?A: While merit-based scholarships can be helpful in providing opportunities to disadvantaged students, they face numerous limitations and challenges. Systemic inequalities and limitations on eligibility can prevent deserving students from receiving scholarships.
Q: What role do community-based programs like KIPP play in promoting educational equity?A: Programs like KIPP can provide invaluable support and community to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, there are concerns about the long-term sustainability of such programs, and broader structural issues must also be addressed to promote equity in education.
Q: How can we address the limitations of merit-based scholarships and other approaches to promoting upward mobility?A: Addressing the limitations of merit-based scholarships and other approaches to promoting upward mobility requires a broader perspective. We must recognize the systematic barriers and inequalities facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds and address the structural issues that prevent all students from accessing opportunities. Community-based programs can be helpful but must be situated within broader efforts to promote equity in education.