Of the popularworkplace TV comediesin television history, ABC’sAbbott Elementarystands out for pinpointing the myriad of problems American Public Schools face. Though these problems are not new to those who work within the system, to many outside of education, the problems appear to be as such. For practically 20 years, public education has increasingly become a political pawn.
With many states currently banning books written by or featuring main characters who are Black, people of color, and LGBTQ+, teachers are struggling even more to make certain their students are represented (and educated) properly. Historically, television and film have been the petri dish for change, and with the reliability inAbbott Elementary, its possible teachers will gain better support across the board. Here are 10 thingsAbbott Elementarycaptures perfectly about the American public school system.
10Janine’s Target Finds
Janine wore a beautiful green floral dress from Target, which might’ve been a splurge. According to the National Education Association’s 2019 Report, the average teacher’s salary in Pennsylvania was $67,535. Teachers are paid for 10 months out of the year, meaning they have to stretch their salary during the summer months. In Pennsylvania, the average teacher is taking home $55K-$61K after income taxes, depending on marital status. Since Janine is a second-year teacher at Abbott Elementary, she is far below the average teacher salary.
9Barbara’s Inability to get a Proper Desk for Student
WhenBarbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph)discovers one of her students is in a wheelchair in season 2 ofAbbott Elementary, she has trouble acquiring a proper desk for the student. Despite public schools using an inclusion model, many teachers are left to their own devices to support their physically or mentally disabled students. Simply put, inclusion is the most equitable form of education. Yet, state money for education may favor one district over another, making financial distribution less equitable.
8Hallway Lights
Janine is a fixer inAbbott Elementary, and yet it backfires on her when she attempts to fix the flickering lights of a hallway. A report for the Government Accountability Office found that most districts are left to fix their own problems when it comes to updating their facilities, something under the state’s concern. Thus, when a district needs to update their facilities, like electrical wiring, the public votes whether to fund this. While state and local funds can be used to change a light bulb, updating the entire electrical wiring requires public funds.
Related:What Quinta Brunson’s Abbott Elementary Gets Right
7Gifted Programs
Gregory’s opposition to Abbott Elementary’s gifted program is based on equity and good teaching. Gifted programs, asUS Newsreports, are inequitable for a couple of reasons. First, the definition of gifted is abhorrently vague: a student who can or has the capacity to outperform. Most students meet the capacity portion of this definition, given the right learning environment. Secondly, Asian, white, and higher-income students overpopulate these programs, meaning Black and brown students are left out.
6Ava’s Lack of Experience in Education
Ava, Abbott Elementary’s principal, obtained her job by means of blackmailing the superintendent. Though this may seem like an exaggeration for comedic effect, the truth is rather appalling as each state has different requirements for their principals. The Pennsylvania Department of Education, for instance, requires principals to have a bachelor’s degree, good moral character, three years of relevant experience, and satisfactory passing of programs and tests. Based on these requirements, virtually anyone can be a principal. Even those with the best of intentions can leave teachers and students feeling unsupported.
5Grade Retention
Janine considering holding back a student at Abbott Elementary did not come lightly. Many teachers view grade retention as a last resort since they have ten months to assess and provide intervention for all their students to bring them up to or maintain grade-level averages.EdTrustlists four reasons grade retention is inequitable; one of those reasons is because Black, Latino, Native, and English learners are overrepresented across retention rates compared to their white and Asian classmates.
Related:Abbott Elementary Won’t Tackle Gun Violence, Creator Says
4Janine and Barbara Crowdfunding onTikTok
Abbott Elementary is an underfunded public school, which means that when their teachers want to do something extra, they either spend their own money, or turn to crowdfunding. While Barbara and Janine went on TikTok, many teachers either turned to Twitter or went straight to Donors Choose. The National Education Association reports that crowdfunding is a necessity for teachers in high-poverty schools.
3Jacob’s (Mis)Use of Slang
Jacob often attempts to connect with students and fellow teachers at Abbott Elementary by using slang or terms he doesn’t fully understand. Using slang can seem like a good way to break the ice with students, but it can rub students the wrong way. A contributing factor to Jacob using slang to connect with students could be that he is one of the few white teachers at a school with a majority population of Black students.
2Melissa’s Burnout Wisdom
Early on inAbbott Elementary, Melissa drops wonderful advice for Janine that all teachers need to hear: “We care so much we refuse to burn out. If we burn out, who’s there for these kids? That’s why you gotta take care of yourself, “(Season 1, Episode 2). Balancing work and home life, taking time off, and building a solid community can help anyone, especially teachers, from burning out.
1Gregory’s Passion vs His Father’s Wants
Gregory’s father (Orlando Jones) tells his son to get a real career. Many teachers face a lack of support from their friends and family simply because of the pay. Teaching may have a lot of problems, but for some, the benefits outweigh these problems. Educators consistently grow and learn while creating strong community ties. This is exemplified many times by the relationships thecast ofAbbott Elementaryfind in each other.
