SOCIOLOGY Education

Sociological Perspectives on Education Functionalist View Manifest functions include: Transmission of knowledge Bestowal of status Latent functions include: Transmitting culture Promoting social and political integration Maintaining social control Serving as agent of change

Sociological Perspectives on Education Functionalist View Transmitting Culture Exposing young people to existing beliefs, norms, and values of their culture Promoting Social and Political Integration Common identity and social integration fostered by education contribute to societal stability and consensus

Sociological Perspectives on Education Functionalist View Maintaining Social Control Schools teach students punctuality, discipline, scheduling, and responsible work habits, and how to negotiate through a bureaucratic organization Serving as an Agent of Change Schools serve as meeting ground where people can share distinctive beliefs and traditions

Sociological Perspectives on Education Conflict View Education is an instrument of elite domination Schools socialize students into values dictated by the powerful

Sociological Perspectives on Education Conflict View The Hidden Curriculum Standards of behavior deemed proper by society are taught subtly in schools Credentialism An increase in the lowest level of education needed to enter a field

Sociological Perspectives on Education Conflict View Bestowal of Status Schools tend to preserve social class inequalities in each new generation Schools can reinforce class differences by putting students in tracks Correspondence Principle: schools promote the values expected of individuals in each social class and perpetuate social class divisions from one generation to the next Tracking: practice of placing students in specific curriculum groups on basis of test scores and other criteria

Sociological Perspectives on Education Conflict View Treatment of Women in Education The U.S educational system long characterized by discriminatory treatment of women

Sociological Perspectives on Education Conflict View Treatment of Women in Education In 20th century, sexism in education included: Stereotypes in textbooks Pressure on women to study traditional women’s subjects Unequal funding for men’s and women’s athletic programs Employment bias for administrators and teachers

Sociological Perspectives on Education Interactionist View Labeling and self-fulfilling prophecy suggest if we treat people in particular ways, they may fulfill our expectations. Teacher-Expectation Effect: impact of teacher expectations and their large role on student performance

Sociological Perspectives on Education Figure 16-1. Percentage of Adults Ages 25 to 64 Who Have Completed Higher Educations, Selected Countries, 2001 Sources: Bureau of the Census 2004a:851

Schools as Formal Organizations Teachers: Employees and Instructors Teachers’ academic assignments have become more specialized Still must control social order 20% of new teachers quit within 3 years Fewer students choose teaching as career due to perceived low income