Dominant political forces often use education to legitimize and promote mass endorsement and inclination toward particular nationalist agendas. In this case, schools may serve as avenues of resistance or liberation, or may be actual targets of physical violence. In addition, armed conflict and civil unrest often result in closure of schools and may dramatically affect the education system.
Even after Title IX was enacted, women still remain under-represented in some courses like engineering and electronics. Title IX is the 1972 Education Amendment that prohibited sexual disparity in enrollment in education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. In high schools and technical colleges, gender discrimination may include sexual harassment and stereotyping. According to the National Science Foundation, the number of women receiving undergraduate degrees in information studies and computers fell under 28 percent in 1999 from 37 percent in 1984. Women and girls face several barriers in these areas because of stereotypes about their abilities, interest and commitment.
Schools that exclusively admit students from a particular race or social class build walls and plant seeds of alienation and resentment for those excluded. Dr. Steve Strand from Warwick University defines institutional racism as organizational practices that negatively affect some ethnic groups. The Longitudinal Study of Young People in England -- under the direction of the Department for Children, Schools and Families -- followed 15,000 pupils throughout their education; Strand's findings contended that low achievement among black students may be worse because teachers didn't expect them to succeed. Also, the Guardian reported in May 2011 that schools in Oldham, England, remain the most racially polarized despite the closure of isolated schools after race riots that peaked in 2001.
School bureaucratic systems and governments can make legislation, policies and standards that affect teachers negatively -- with results that trickle down to students. For instance, underpayment, underemployment and unsatisfactory working conditions may result in lack of commitment and dedication by teachers, sometimes leading to strikes. For instance, a statewide Florida teachers' strike occurred in 1968 because of under-funding of the state's educational system. The strike kept some teachers at home, with school's closed in two-thirds of the counties -- ultimately hindering many students' education. Some students who cannot attend school may find other, illegal ways to occupy their time.
Additionally, the wide availability of weapons like guns -- particularly those on websites that match sellers with buyers, often precluding registration laws -- may be responsible for school violence because students can easily access firearms and use them to carry out violence. A number of armed students have opened fire at their schools, sometimes leading to the school's temporary closure. The Columbine High School massacre in 1999 left 12 students dead after two senior students went on a shooting rampage.