Describe the 5 social functions of education. What are the social benefits that education provides?

1. Which courses would it offer? 2. Which extracurricular activities would it offer? 3. What would its priorities be, and how would it reinforce these priorities in its policies?

 When the parts of society are working properly, each contributes to the well-being of the whole society.  Manifest functions: positive, intended consequences.  Latent functions: unintended consequences.

 Our society needs highly educated people  Schools function to teach the knowledge and skills needed in society  Skills: reading, writing, math, ?

 Cultural transmission of values: a process by which schools pass on society’s core values  US: private property, individualism, and competition  Japan: law requires that schools cultivate a “respect for tradition and culture, love for nation and homeland”

 Sense of national identity  Saluting flag/pledge of alliegance  Teach mainstream ideas to millions of immigrants  Same political views; no rebellion

 Society benefits when people are sorted according to their abilities and ambitions.  Gatekeeping: Determining which people will enter what occupations.  Credentialing: using diplomas and degrees to determine who is eligible for a job  Tracking: sorting students into different educational programs based on perceived abilities.

 Child care:  Elementary schools offer care before and after school.  Daycare for children of teenage students at schools.  Sex education: school-based health centers, birth control.

 How have your experiences in education (including teachers, classes, etc.) influenced your goals, attitudes, and values? How have your classmates influenced you?

 1. Why do you think that home schooling has become so popular?  2. Do you think this social movement could eventually become a threat to U.S. public schools?  3. Would you consider home schooling your children? Why or why not?  4. Does home schooling work?  5. Can parents who are not trained as teachers actually teach?

Cultural reproduction. Social control. Assimilation. Training and development. Selection and allocation of statuses. The promotion of change.

1. The production of a generation gap. 2. The custodial care of children. 3. The creation of a youth subculture. 4. The rationalization of inequality. 5. The perpetuation of social inequality.