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   Quinta BrunsonSet in a systemically disadvantaged Philadelphia public school, Quinta Brunson's Abbott Elementary (2021) co-opts the mockumentary format of shows like The Office to illustrate the inequitable reality for non-white Pennsylvania students. It has spawned a number of articles praising its "spotlight on Philly's broken public schools" and helping "America's educators feel seen."

  In the past two decades, the Pennsylvania school system has become increasingly segregated by race and class, and BIPoC and low-income students are suffering the consequences. According to a report by UCLA’s Civil Rights Project, "the amount of intensely segregated schools, where over 90% of students are minorities, have more than doubled in the past two decades. Further, a staggering 85% of all Pennsylvania students attending these intensely segregated schools are low income" (Civil Rights Project at UCLA, 2015).

  To make matters worse, Pennsylvania's racially divided schooling system suffers from a racially biased funding scheme. According to a statistical report by David Mosenkis, a researcher and organizer with POWER Interfaith, “On average, the whitest districts get thousands of dollars more than their fair share for each student, while the least white districts get thousands less for each student than their fair share" (Mosenkis, 2016). Notably, this is according to the state's own definition of "fair" funding which was passed in 2016 but only applied to the funds allocated to the budget since. As Mosenkis' work makes clear, it is important to statistically expose such inequities so as to objectively prove that the Pennsylvania school system is violating its own standard of equity.

  Despite these troubling statistics, watching Abbott Elementary is anything but demoralizing. The show is first and foremost an entertaining sitcom with lovable and diverse characters committed to their students and the teaching professions. Instead, the reality of predominantly non-white Philadelphia public schools is examined through these characters' difficulties acquiring basic classroom materials like rugs and writing supplies, an episode regarding students’ unhealthy school lunches, or the common knowledge of Principal Ava’s blackmailing of the Superintendent.

  However, the show’s criticisms would not land nearly as effectively had the show not been a well-executed sitcom first and foremost. Characters make or break sitcoms like Abbott Elementary and its cast of characters is lovable and complicated and diverse. Perhaps one scene incapsulates the masterful dynamic between the Abbott Elementary staff. In Episode 9 of Season 1 (which I ought to specify now that it’s excitingly been renewed for a second season!), the characters debate which day of the week is "the most sexy." Even when discussing something this silly and simple, each character brings a different answer to the table which points to something deeper about their values. For example, veteran Abbott teacher Barbara Howard rejects the prompt and instead answers that Sunday, “the Lord’s day,” is her favorite. This simple answer in a casual conversation instantly reveals Barbara’s more reserved values which are expanded upon throughout the season. Principal Ava, on the other hand, prefers Thursdays because they are less “care free than Friday and Saturday, so you have to come back to work and deal with what you’ve done.” This exposes her more unhinged lifestyle and her unorthodox identity as Principal. Each character's distinct answer similarly reveals something deeper about their disparate identities which culminates in a common collective bullying of Janine Teagues for choosing Monday.

  Abbott Elementary is an expertly written mockumentary sitcom that features a magnetic and varied group of characters who come together to face similar challenges as teachers (although often in their own unique ways). This entertainingly expert writing is how the show has been able to broadcast structural issues in the Philly public school system to such widespread acclaim.
  
  - Fouad Dakwar
   

  Works Cited:

  “Decades of Inaction Lead to Worst Segregation in Pennsylvania Schools in Two Decades.” The Civil Rights Project at UCLA, January 16, 2015.

  https://www.civilrightsproject.ucla.edu/news/press-releases/2015-press-releases/decades-of-inaction-lead-to-worst-segregaton-in-pennsylvania-schools-in-two-decades. 

  Mosenkis, David, "Systemic Racial Bias in Latest Pennsylvania School Funding." POWER Interfaith. July, 2016. https://powerinterfaith.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PA-Racial-School-Funding-Bias-July-2016-1-1.pdf