This past summer, I was conducting research examining educational disparities in West Virginia. However, what it showed me about educational disparity back on Long Island was even more eye-opening.

My work focused on how geographic isolation, limited school funding, and inconsistent access to advanced coursework create barriers for rural students. Many communities face teacher shortages, outdated facilities, and a lack of extracurricular enrichment opportunities, which restrict upward mobility and deepen poverty.

When I compare this to inequities on Long Island, the contrasts are striking. Unlike West Virginia, Long Island schools generally benefit from broader access to advanced coursework and stronger overall student outcomes due to their better educational qualities.

What does exist

See Full Page