‘Access to Literacy’ Is Not a Constitutional Right, Judge in Detroit Rules

Happy Fourth of July everyone! I’m happy that you’re reading this, that’s not a luxury everyone can afford. Literally. In browsing the New York Times education section, one title stood out to me today, ‘Access to Literacy’ Is Not a Constitutional Right, Judge in Detroit Rules. This article has to do with, as you might’ve guessed, a lawsuit filed due to the lack of enough effective educational institutions in Detroit. Deciding that access to an education is not a constitutional right is a monumental decision for the outcome of education inequality. With more and more public schools being converted into for-profit charter schools, obtaining an education in Detroit is becoming less and less accessible to the poor. From transportation limitations to admissions fees, the momentum of Detroit’s educational groundwork away from public schools is one that does not prioritize those most in need of a quality education.

The court case depicted many of the difficult conditions many public schools in Detroit are facing now. Students are not getting an equal education if they are learning in buildings with holes in the floors, and textbooks that are dozens of years old. The most devastating part of the story is that while the judge agreed these conditions were not conducive to a learning environment, he decided that people genuinely don’t have a right to an education. Literacy is essential for so many things in daily life, and an education sets the groundwork for the number of opportunities you will have in your life. This is a genuine violation of human rights, and in my opinion, American rights offered by the Constitution. How can someone fully utilize their freedom of press or vote when they still have a third grade reading level?

Happy Fourth of July!