1. Why Go to College? Continued…

2. What social processes produce these distributions? 0 5 10 15 20 25 Grades 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 1009080706050 Grades 1009080706050

3. Levels of Analysis in Education Research Macro Macro Policy decisions Policy decisions Intermediate Intermediate Individual schools, school culture Individual schools, school culture Micro Micro The classroom The classroom

4. Macro Level – how is education organized? 3 “ideal types” of educational regimes (rooted in norms surrounding upward mobility 3 “ideal types” of educational regimes (rooted in norms surrounding upward mobility Sponsored mobility: typical in Europe, involves early choice and an implicitly guaranteed future Sponsored mobility: typical in Europe, involves early choice and an implicitly guaranteed future Contest mobility:rewards perseverance, achievement Contest mobility:rewards perseverance, achievement Tournament mobility: a variant of contest mobility, but early failures knock student out of major academic tournament – sorting mechanism Tournament mobility: a variant of contest mobility, but early failures knock student out of major academic tournament – sorting mechanism

5. Intermediate level – what about schools? Coleman’s study of American high schools Coleman’s study of American high schools Adolescent Society Adolescent Society

6. What is the School Culture? Academics Athletics Social life

7. A comment on selectivity… In general, schools are funded locally in the US. In general, schools are funded locally in the US. This creates inequality in school resources, quality This creates inequality in school resources, quality books, computers, motivated teachers, trips, athletics, etc. books, computers, motivated teachers, trips, athletics, etc.

8. Family -> Neighborhood -> School $$$$ $$$ $$$$ $ $ $ $ $ $ Wealthy Community Impoverished Community

9. The paradox of Catholic schools Why is the achievement of students in Catholic schools higher than that of students in public schools?

10. Explanations Selectivity of parents (more involved) Selectivity of parents (more involved) School community values achievement School community values achievement Reduce external signs of inequality (i.e., uniforms) Reduce external signs of inequality (i.e., uniforms) Little tracking (treat all students as having equal potential) Little tracking (treat all students as having equal potential)