Neoliberal Education Reform and the Perpetuation of Inequality

Abstract

New York has some of the most segregated high schools in the country, and schools serving low-income and minority students have the lowest graduation rates. This paper discusses changes in inequality between New York City high schools during a period of neoliberal education reform. Neoliberal education reforms are intended to improve schooling through choice and accountability policies. I find that segregation has increased in the best performing schools during this era of reform, and that race and class maintain a negative impact on graduation rates despite the implementation of neoliberal policies. I argue that these policies not only fail to reduce inequality, but exacerbate and reproduce existing class and race inequalities in schooling.