Education Chapter 14

An Overview of Education Education is the social institution responsible for the systematic transmission of knowledge, skills, and cultural values within a formally organized structure. Education has become vast and complex social institution; prepares citizens for roles demanded by other social institutions, such as the family, government, and economy Cultural transmission is the process by which children and recent immigrants become acquainted with the dominant cultural beliefs, values, norms, and accumulated knowledge of a society. Mass education refers to providing free, public schooling for wide segments of a nation’s population.

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON EDUCATION

Functionalist Perspective Transmitting Culture Exposing young people to existing beliefs, norms, and values of their culture Sometimes nations reassess the ways in which they transmit culture to students Promoting Social and Political Integration Common identity and social integration fostered by education contributes to societal stability and consensus Maintaining Social Control Schools teach students punctuality, discipline, scheduling, responsible work habits, and how to negotiate a bureaucratic organization Serving as an Agent of Change Education can stimulate social change

Conflict Perspective Education is instrument of elite domination Educational system socializes students into values dictated by the powerful and stifle individualism and creativity to promote relatively insignificant change The Hidden Curriculum Hidden curriculum: is the transmission of cultural values and attitudes, such as conformity and obedience to authority, through implied demands found in rules, routines, and regulations of schools. Credentialism Credentialism: belief in or reliance on academic or other formal qualifications as the best measure of a person's intelligence or ability to do a particular job Number of occupations viewed as professions has risen May reinforce social inequality

Conflict Perspective Bestowal of Status Education can distribute members among a variety of social positions by sorting people into appropriate levels and courses of study Tracking: practice of placing students in specific curriculum groups on basis of test scores and other criteria In elementary schools, tracking is often referred to as ability grouping. Class-based factors also affect which children are more likely to be placed in high, medium, or low groups (which are usually given innocuous names). Students grouped together as less academically talented are labeled underachievers or slow learners. Correspondence principle: promotes values expected of individuals in each social class, perpetuating social class divisions

Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives Labeling and the self‑fulfilling prophecy According to symbolic interactionists, the process of labeling is directly related to power and status of those who do the labeling and those being labeled. Labeling is the process whereby others identify a person as possessing a specific characteristic or exhibiting a certain pattern of behavior. For some students, labeling amounts to a self-fulfilling prophecy. A self-fulfilling prophecy is an unsubstantiated belief or prediction that results in behavior that makes the originally false belief come true. Teacher expectations influences their treatment of students.

Schools as Formal Organizations U.S. has about 15 million high school students today Schools are similar to factories, hospitals, and business firms Do not operate autonomously

Bureaucratization of Schools Weber’s characteristics of bureaucracy: Division of labor Hierarchy of authority Written rules and regulations Impersonality Employment based on technical qualifications

Teachers: Employees and Instructors Teachers undergo many perplexing stresses Between a quarter and a third of new teachers quit within their first three years Fewer students choose teaching as career due to perceived low income In 2012, 3.2% of male and 8.2% of female first-year college students were interested in elementary or high school education

Figure 44-1: Average Salary for Teachers

Student Subcultures Student subculture complex and diverse High school cliques and social groups form according to race, social class, physical attractiveness, placement in courses, athletic ability, and leadership roles in school and community Gay and lesbian students particularly vulnerable Peer group pressure to conform is intense Four distinctive subcultures among college students: Collegiate subculture Academic subculture Vocational subculture Nonconformist subculture Each student is exposed to competing subcultures and must determine which seems most in line with his or her feelings and interests

Home Schooling It is estimated that about 1.5 million children are home-schooled in grades K through 12. Critics counter that homeschooled children isolated from larger community Proponents claim it is a good alternative for children with ADHD and learning disabilities Quality control is an issue

Social Policy and Education: Charter Schools Discontent with public schools Charter schools: experimental schools that are developed and managed by individuals, groups of parents, or an educational management organization Considered public schools, but administered outside official public school system

Social Policy and Education: Charter Schools Looking at the Issue 2.6 million children enrolled in charter schools Advocates claim they offer parents accountability for children’s education Compete with public schools Offer alternative that was once only available to the wealthy

Social Policy and Education: Charter Schools Applying Sociology Functionalists argue charter schools meet society’s need while serving a diverse student body Conflict theorists believe charter schools do not represent teachers well and will contribute to decline of labor unions Not much research on long-term impact because charter school movement is relatively new

Social Policy and Education: Charter Schools Initiating Policy In U.S., school policy is driven at local level Many school choice programs in addition to charter school movement Homeschooling, vouchers, etc. Jury still out on effectiveness Quality cannot be assumed based on a certain structure, size, affiliation, or funding source