Chapter 13 Education & Religion

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Think about… What is the purpose of school?

Defining Education Society’s success is dependent on the socialization of new members Education: roles & norms that ensure the transmission of knowledge, values, patterns of behavior from one generation to another – Small preindustrial societies have informal education, large industrial societies share responsibility between families & formal education Schooling: instruction by specially trained teachers who follow officially recognized policies

Functionalist Perspective Education works to maintain & perpetuate the stability & smooth operation of society Teaching knowledge & skills – Teach children knowledge & skills to become independent adults – Creation, testing, & sharing of new knowledge & technology are central to the development of society Transmission of culture – Need to pass on core values to support social & political systems & develop loyalty

Social Integration – Common national identity – Melting pot vs. mosaic view of American society Occupational Placement – Assess & recognize talents to prepare children for future jobs

Conflict Perspective Serves to sort students into social ranks & limit the potential of certain individuals Social Control – Unquestioning citizens who accept the inequalities of the social system – Hidden curriculum: schools’ transmission of cultural goals that are not openly acknowledged Tracking – Assignment of students to different types of educational program

Education & SES – Key to social mobility – Achievement is strongly tied to SES, those of higher status out perform those of lower status 1.Family expectations 2.Enriching experiences 3.Expenses of college

Interactionist Perspective Student-Teacher Interaction – Self-fulfilling prophecy & time spent with teacher Interactions among Students – According the James Coleman the SES of fellow students is the most significant factor in determining achievement

Read your respective articles Discuss and share your article with your partner On a loose leaf sheet of paper: – Create a t-chart or venn diagram in which you compare/contrast Jada’s & W. Williams view points – Explain how Jada’s essay fits with/adds to the conflict perspective – Explain how William’s article fits with/adds to the conflict perspective

What are the biggest problems facing schools today? – With a neighbor(s) create a list of 10

Educational Reform 1983’s A Nation at Risk report stated that declining education “threatens our very future as a nation and as a people” – Sparked education reform 1994 Congress enacted the Goals 2000: Educate America Act granting $ to states to develop reform – clear by 1999 that goals wouldn’t be met

No Child Left Behind 2001 – Requires every state to deliver standards-based tests in reading, math, & science every year from grades 3-8 and ties federal funding to results – Traditionally disadvantaged groups are tracked separately – 4 basic principles: 1.Accountability 2.Proven methods 3.Choices for parents 4.More local freedom

Why tests are importantWhy tests are not important Why grades are importantWhy grades are not important

Alternatives to Public School Charter Schools are funded with public money but are privately operated School Choice: parents receive a voucher for the amount that the state spends on a child to educate them and may use the voucher at a school of their choice Homeschooling: education is undertaken at home

English as a Second Language Bilingual education: a system in which non- English-speaking students study science, math, and other subjects in their native language until they gain fluency

How to fix Education Choose 1 of the problems from the list we compiled earlier, brainstorm with your neighbor(s) how that problem might be addressed Now, $100,000 had just be donated to the school to fix that problem, write out a plan of how you are going to use the money to implement change

Scenario 1 : You overhear a student telling another student that he has brought a gun to school and plans to use it to settle a dispute. Scenario 2 : You come into the locker room and find another student unconscious and bleeding

Violence in Schools A 2006 Harris poll found that only 75% of parents believed their child’s school is safe Shootings at Columbine High School in April 1999 Students are far more likely to be victims of violent crimes outside of school In a 2005 poll 5% reported fear of being attacked or harmed in or out of school

Schools have increased security measures Most schools have adopted zero tolerance policies towards punishment (often expulsion) of serious offenses, carrying a weapon, committing a violent act, possessing drugs or alcohol Statistically Speaking…. 14% of students in grades 9-12 who have been involved in a physical fight at school 28% have experienced verbal of physical bullying at school in the last 6 months 86% of high school in which a theft was reported during the school year 85% of public schools control access of the building 43% of public schools use security cameras 2% of public schools require students to pass through metal detectors

1.In your group of 5 read your article, together or separately 2.Write a summary & give your opinion 3.Discuss article with group members 4.Create the following poster: 5.You will be presenting your poster & posing your questions to the class Article Title & Author Summary 5 discussion questions

Do you think people make assumptions about others based on their religious preference? Why? Can you give any examples?

What is religious tolerance?

Is religious tolerance important? Why?

Do you think people in America exemplify religious tolerance in general? Why or why not?

Religion in the US Immigration has changed the religious make-up of the US In % of those polled claimed religion is important to them – In % of those polled claim to believe in God, 60% said religion can solve the world’s problems

Religious Participation 1/3 of Americans attend services regularly – Catholics are most likely to attend – Doesn’t measure religiosity –depth of one’s religious feelings & how that translates into behavior Sociologists believe that the US is becoming more secular –religion is losing its influence in everyday life

Fundamentalist Christianity Membership in mainstream denominations has been declining while participation in fundamentalist & evangelical groups has increased – 26 % of Americans are “born again” or evangelical Christians Fundamentalism: set of beliefs including strict adherence to the religion’s rules & practices & the belief that religion should be the primary force in one’s life

How do you balance Science vs. Religion ?

Reflection 1.Opening sentence 2.Summarize & explain Jada’s essay 3.Why was her essay controversial? 4.Summarize William’s article 5.Explain the conflict perspective of education 6.Explain how Jada’s essay & William’s article fit with/add to the conflict perspective 7.Your opinion 8.Closing sentence