1. Explanations of Educational Inequality Chapter 9

2. Conflicting Theories of Educational Inequality Functionalist vision of meritorcratic selection of the best and brightest regardless of family background…schooling produces unequal results based on individual differences and unequal educational opportunities Must insure the elimination of structural barriers to educational success and provide all groups a fair chance to compete in the educational marketplace

3. Conflicting Theories of Educational Inequality See the role of schooling to reproduce rather than eliminate inequality, that educational outcomes are largely based on family background is consistent with Conflict Theory Concerned with both equality of opportunity and equality of results or at least significantly reduce differences

4. Interactionist Theory One must understand the interaction of families and schools in order to understand the factors explaining academic success and failure Functionalists tend to favor out of school explanations, conflict theorists tend to favor in-school explanations Multidimensional approach: societal, institutional, interactional, intrapsychic variables

5. Student-Centered Explanations Economic disadvantaged children attend inferior schools…but…research suggests there are far more significant differences in academic performance among students in the same school than among students in different schools Coleman Report suggested factors of difference has more to do with the students themselves, their families, culture, makeup

6. Genetic Differences The genetic or biological argument is the most controversial Arthur Jensen (1969) argued that unequal performance due to genetic differences in intelligence Preponderance of research suggests that the most significant factor affecting intelligence is social The Bell Curve (1994) Herrnstein and Murray made a similar argument

7. Cultural Deprivation Theories Argued that students came to school without the requisite intellectual and social skills necessary for school success Working class and nonwhite families seen as lacking the cultural resources, having a deprived culture and inappropriate values for success Project Head Start based on this theory

8. Cultural Difference Theories Attribute cultural differences to social forces such as poverty, racism, discrimination and unequal life chances Tension between standard English required for school success and “slang-English” Linguistic codes are at the heart of unequal power relations Subordinate groups often see little reason to embrace the culture of schooling…labor market barriers exist regardless of schooling

9. School-Centered Explanations School financing…generally vast differences between districts Inequality of funding not a moral issue alone but also a political issue…does the political will exist to close the monetary gaps between schools

10. Effective School Research A climate of high expectations Strong and effective leadership Accountability processes Monitoring of student learning A high degree of time on task Flexibility to experiment and try new things

11. Between-School Differences School climate…authoritarian or more student-centered Different school environments allow students to dream different dreams, different life expectations

12. Within-School Differences Curriculum and Ability Grouping Functionalist perspective—tracking is valuable tool if it is fair and meritocratic Conflict theorists see tracking based on ascriptive characteristics reproducing inequalities “Tracking has a significant effect on educational attainment at both elementary and secondary levels.”

13. Gender and Schooling Second wave of feminism began in 1960s and challenged the view that biology is destiny…differences between men and women more cultural than biological Gilligan sees women as valuing connectedness and caring rather than Kohlberg’s justice orientation…different not less than…schools tend to reinforce stereotypes through hidden curriculum