Lecture#1: Sociological Perspectives on Education
Sociological Perspectives on Education
Functionalism
–How does the institution of education contribute to social integration?
–What are the major functions performed by the institution of education?
•Socialization
•Transmission of Culture
•Skill Provider/Innovation
•Social Placement
Sociological Perspectives on Education:
Functionalism
Socialization
–Continue the socialization process begun by the family
–How to interact with peer groups and authority figures
Transmission of Culture
–Core values of a society are passed on
–Integrates/Assimilates generations of students with such values
Skill Provider/Innovation
–Students learn necessary skills to compete in society
Social Placement
–Nurtures talent and achievement
–Meritocracy
•Rewarding based on ability and competence
–Credentialism
•Emphasis on the possession of credentials demonstrating the acquisition of skills
•Qualifications
Sociological Perspectives on Education:
Functionalism
Manifest and Latent Functions of Education
–Manifest
•Skills training and preparation to compete in the adult world
–Latent
•A baby sitter of children
•Pick up where the family fails
–Sex Education?
Dysfunctions
–Possible cultural biases
–Weakening of parental authority
Sociological Perspectives on Education
Conflict Theory
–Emphasis on the social placement function of education
–Instead of the educational system providing a means for social mobility—the
educational system maintains the current pattern of inequality
–Point to the fact that Social Class, Gender, and Racial backgrounds impact the ability to
succeed in the educational system
Sociological Perspectives on Education:
Conflict Theory
Conflict Theorists Ask
“Can a public school system that offers such divergence in quality of education really be
a great equalizer?”
Sociological Perspectives on Education:
Conflict Theory
Hidden Curriculum
–Informal, unwritten norms that schools use to keep students in line
•Working Class Students
–Go to schools that stress obedience and rudimentary learning—Poor resources
•Middle Class Students
–Go to schools that allow students to engage in some self-directed learning—Up to date
teaching materials and teaching tools
•Upper Class Students
–Typically attend private schools that encourage creativity and divergent thinking, plus
college preparation—Most advanced learning environments
Sociological Perspectives on Education:
Conflict Theory
Tracking
–Grouping children according to an assessment of their ability
–High and low tracks
•Gifted and Slow
–Tracking can serve a positive function by helping to best address student needs
•However it can limit a student’s potential
Differences in Educational Attainment
Sociological Perspectives on Education
Symbolic Interactionism
–Focus on the socialization function of education
•Labeling children (such as tracking) can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy
–End point fallacy
•New labels produce new behaviors outcomes—ongoing process
–Mainstreaming
•Integration
of poorly labeled children to the mainstream school culture so as to avoid
stigmatizing the child
A Global View of Education
Educational Challenges Facing the United States
Multiculturalism
–Brought on by the growing diversity of the classroom
•Latinos are expected be the largest minority in the classroom
•Currently, Latinos have the highest drop out rate of any group
•What can or should education do to address these social facts
–Multicultural education?
•Teach an appreciation of the contributions made by other cultures
•Obstacles to this are: Which cultures need to be recognized more? And, is emphasis on
some cultures and not others just another form of racism?
Educational Challenges Facing the United States
Desegregation of our Nation’s schools
–Making classroom more heterogeneous
–Busing has been a common response to desegregate the classroom
•Why are less affluent African Americans more likely to support busing?
•Why are more affluent African Americans not a supportive as their lower income
counter parts?
Educational Challenges Facing the United States
Where Does the Money Go?
(1999-2000)
Per student expenditures (U.S. public school/K-12)
–$6,911
–New Jersey is the highest at $10,337
–Arizona is the lowest at $4,999
–The District of Columbia is the only place where more than half of its expenditures go to
something other than instruction
Public Elementary and Secondary Teacher Salaries
Measured in 2000-2001 Constant Dollars
Where Does the Money Come From? (1999-2000)
Despite misconceptions, the federal government contributes vary little to the funding of
public schools in comparison
–The District of Columbia receives the greatest portion of its budget from federal funds
compared to the 50 states (20.4%)
–New Jersey receives the least of its budget from federal funds (3.9%)
What are the Outcomes in Academic Performance?