Chapter 13 Education

Inequalities in Education

1954 Supreme Court decision to end segregation in public schools Language (1 out of 10 English is not primary) Testing (SAT, ACT) Gender Tracking

School

Definition: a place of formal educational instruction 1600 School Districts in the United States United States has a decentralized educational system.

History of Education

During the pre-industrial period, communal societies taught their children in the home (informal education) The family would pass on the knowledge, values and beliefs

Changing Educational System

Magnet Schools Charter Schools Freedom of Choice NCLB, 2001 Home schooling, 2%

Sociological Analysis

THE FUNCTIONALIST: -school is a socialization agent CONFLICT THEORY: class difference in the quality of education, (upper class can afford prestiges elite college prep schools) SYMBOLIC INTERACTION: school provides the environment to play the social roles and develop the self, children labeled

Definition of Education

The transfer of knowledge, values, & beliefs of a society from one generation to the next. Knowledge (information) Values(religion, culture,community, family etc) Beliefs (beliefs+behavior=value)

Contrast the United States Educational system with Japan

United States Values education, to participate in democracy and attain personal happiness US students have a right to a high school education Drop out Japan Values education, achievement motivation is high. Conformity & selectivity are key concepts Only students who are high achievers get admitted, hence rigorous study and competition are important Fail = stay at home