Sociology & You

Chapter 12: Education

Chapter Overviews

Development and Structure of Education Although schools in America today have evolved from the factory-model system of education prevalent in the early 1900s, they are still based on specialization, rules and procedures, and impersonality. Proponents of the bureaucratic system claim that it is efficient and enables specialization among professional educators. Critics argue that this system is inappropriate and cannot adequately respond to the needs of all children. Various movements have sought to reform education. The humanistic movement in education, beginning in the 1960s, focused on creating a more democratic, student-focused learning environment. In the 1990s, the "back-to-basics" movement pushed for a return to a traditional curriculum and more bureaucratic methods. Other debates have arisen over voucher systems, charter schools, magnet schools, and for-profit schools.

Functionalist Perspective Each of sociology's theoretical perspectives views education in a different way. Functionalists see the emergence of schools as a response to society's needs to transmit culture, create a common identity, select and screen talent, and promote personal growth and development. Latent functions can be positive, such as serving as training grounds for athletes, or negative, such as tracking that perpetuates an unequal class structure.

Conflict Perspective Proponents of the conflict theory attempt to show that popular conceptions about the relationship between schools and society are not quite accurate. In a meritocracy, ability and achievement rather than social-class background or parental status determine social status. However, educational inequality exists in school systems throughout the country. Gender, race, and distribution of wealth all can affect equality in education.

Symbolic Interactionism Symbolic interactionists emphasize the socialization that occurs in schools, and how the hidden curriculum teaches children values, norms, beliefs, and attitudes. This socialization is important in helping young people to make the transition from home to the larger society. Teachers can affect achievement by setting high expectations; they can also perpetuate gender identity by expecting more from boys than girls.