1. Sociology in Modules
Education

2. 14 Education Module 42: Sociological Perspectives on Education
Module 43: Schools as Formal Organizations

3. A Look Ahead
Do public schools offer everyone a way up the socioeconomic ladder, or do they reinforce divisions among social classes?
What is the “hidden curriculum” in U.S. schools?
What have sociologists learned about the latest trends in education?

4. Sociological Perspectives on Education
Module 42
Sociological Perspectives on Education
Education is social institution that formally socializes members of society
Proportion of people age 25 or over with a high school diploma increased from 41% in 1960 to more than 86% in 2008
Proportion with a college degree rose from 8% in 1960 to 29% in 2008

5. Functionalist View Transmitting Culture
Module 42
Functionalist View
Transmitting Culture
Exposing young people to existing beliefs, norms, and values of their culture
Internet offers new and potentially revolutionary way to transmit culture
Promoting Social and Political Integration
Common identity and social integration fostered by education contributes to societal stability and consensus

6. Functionalist View Maintaining Social Control
Module 42
Functionalist View
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
Schools serve as a meeting ground where people can share distinctive beliefs and traditions

7. Conflict View Education is instrument of elite domination
Module 42
Conflict View
Education is instrument of elite domination
Schools socialize students into values dictated by the powerful and stifle individualism and creativity to promote relatively insignificant change

8. Module 42
Conflict View
The Hidden Curriculum: Standards of behavior deemed proper by society are taught subtly in schools
Credentialism: Increase in the lowest level of education needed to enter a field

9. Conflict View Bestowal of Status
Module 42
Conflict View
Bestowal of Status
Schools tend to preserve social class inequalities in each new generation
Tracking: Practice of placing students in specific curriculum groups on the basis of test scores and other criteria
Correspondence principle: Promotes values expected of individuals in each social class; perpetuate social class divisions

10. Feminist Views In 20th century, sexism found in:
Module 42
Feminist Views
In 20th century, sexism found in:
Stereotypes in textbooks
Pressure to study traditional women’s subjects
Unequal funding for athletics
Employment bias
Women have made strides in continuing education

11. Module 42
Interactionist View
Labeling approach suggests that if people are treated in particular ways, they may fulfill expectations
Teacher-expectancy effect: Impact of teacher expectations and their large role on student performance

12. Module 42
Figure 42-1: Higher Education Completion Rates (BA/BS), Selected Countries

13. Figure 42-2: Annual Median Earnings by Educational Level
Module 43
Figure 42-2: Annual Median Earnings by Educational Level 13

14. Module 42
Figure 42-3: Foreign Students by Major Countries of Origin and Destination

15. Figure 42-4: Tuition Costs, 1976 – 2007
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Figure 42-4: Tuition Costs, 1976 – 2007 15

16. Table 42-1: Sociological Perspectives on Education
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Table 42-1: Sociological Perspectives on Education 16

17. Sociology on Campus Google University
Module 42
Sociology on Campus
Google University
Do you prefer to do your reading online or in a magazine, newspaper, or book?
Have you participated in any social or political causes or volunteered your time while on campus? Did you use the Internet to organize or disseminate information about your activities?

18. Bureaucratization of Schools
Module 43
Bureaucratization of Schools
Weber: characteristics of bureaucracy:
Division of labor
Hierarchy of authority
Written rules and regulations
Impersonality
Employment based on technical qualifications

19. Teachers: Employees and Instructors
Module 43
Teachers: Employees and Instructors
Teachers undergo many stresses
Between a quarter and a third of new teachers quit within their first 3 years
Fewer students choose teaching as career due to perceived low income
In 2009, 4.1% first-year college students were interested in elementary education and 4.4% in high school education

20. Student Subcultures In colleges: Collegiate subculture
Module 43
Student Subcultures
In colleges:
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

21. Homeschooling About 1.5 million schooled at home
Module 43
Homeschooling
About 1.5 million schooled at home
Some theorists cite lack of social involvement as problem
Good alternative for children with ADHD and learning disabilities
Homeschooled children score higher on standardized tests

22. Research Today Violence in the Schools
Module 43
Research Today
Violence in the Schools
Has a shooting or other violent episode ever occurred at your school. Do you feel safer at school than at home?
What steps have administrators at your school taken to prevent violence? Have they been effective, or should other steps be taken?

23. Figure 43-1: Average Salary for Teachers
Module 43
Figure 43-1: Average Salary for Teachers

24. Module 43
Figure 43-2: College Campuses by Race and Ethnicity: Then, Now, and in the Future

25. No Child Left Behind Program
Module 43
No Child Left Behind Program
Understanding the Issue
Too many U.S. public schools failing to educate students
In 2001, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) enacted by Congress
Supporters charged act not enforced stringently enough
Opponents felt legislation went too far

26. No Child Left Behind Program
Module 43
No Child Left Behind Program
Understanding the Issue
Schools in U.S. locally run and financed with some federal and state aid
National educational standards established in 1990s
NCLB built on national standards and set penalties for failure to meet standards
Every student to be proficient in reading and mathematics by 2014
Debate about how best to offer high-quality schooling to all children

27. No Child Left Behind Program
Module 43
No Child Left Behind Program
Applying Sociology
Objectives of common curricular promotes social integration
Testing is controversial
Validity: the degree to which a scale or measure truly reflects the phenomenon under study
Reliability: extent to which a measure provides consistent results

28. No Child Left Behind Program
Module 43
No Child Left Behind Program
Initiating Policy
Educational reformers have yet to find solution that fits all schools in all states
Independent commission advocated maintaining 2014 goals even though only small portion of nation’s schools would reach objectives (1997)