EducationEducation

Chapter 14Chapter 14

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Describe the manifest and latent functions of education.Describe the manifest and latent functions of education. Explain the nature of education from the conflict theory Explain the nature of education from the conflict theory

view.view. Explain the causes and effects of racial segregation in Explain the causes and effects of racial segregation in

the public schools.the public schools. Identify issues related to students who speak English as Identify issues related to students who speak English as

a second language.a second language. Discuss the extent to which high-school dropouts are a Discuss the extent to which high-school dropouts are a

social problem.social problem. Discuss the issue of standardized testing.Discuss the issue of standardized testing.

Purpose of EducationPurpose of Education

Main purpose of education is to Main purpose of education is to equalize societyequalize society

Source of social inequality is the Source of social inequality is the unequal distribution of knowledgeunequal distribution of knowledge

Main purpose of education is to Main purpose of education is to equalize society by diffusing equalize society by diffusing knowledge to all. knowledge to all.

Lester Frank Ward Lester Frank Ward (President, ASA)(President, ASA)

Sociological PerspectivesSociological Perspectives

Functionalists Functionalists Stress the importance of education in Stress the importance of education in

socializing the young, transmitting the culture, socializing the young, transmitting the culture, and developing skills.and developing skills.

Conflict theoristsConflict theorists Note that education preserves social class Note that education preserves social class

distinctions, maintains social control, and distinctions, maintains social control, and promotes inequality. promotes inequality.

Cultural TransmissionCultural Transmission

Passage of major portions of society’s Passage of major portions of society’s knowledge from one generation to the nextknowledge from one generation to the next

Academic SkillsAcademic Skills

Provision of knowledge essential to daily Provision of knowledge essential to daily activitiesactivities LiteracyLiteracy MathematicsMathematics Critical thinking and analysisCritical thinking and analysis

InnovationInnovation

Transmission of society’s knowledgeTransmission of society’s knowledge Foundation for creation and transmission Foundation for creation and transmission

of new knowledgeof new knowledge Learning independent and creative Learning independent and creative

thinkingthinking

Child CareChild Care

Latent functionLatent function Provision of child care outside the Provision of child care outside the

nuclear familynuclear family

Postponing Job HuntingPostponing Job Hunting

Extension of education into post-high Extension of education into post-high school learningschool learning Increased skills via additional education and Increased skills via additional education and

trainingtraining Reduction in unemployment and competitionReduction in unemployment and competition

Age 25-29 High School and Bachelor’s Age 25-29 High School and Bachelor’s Degree AttainmentDegree Attainment

Conflict Theory PerspectiveConflict Theory Perspective

Social ControlSocial Control Hidden curriculumHidden curriculum

Attitudes and values taught in school Attitudes and values taught in school prepare children to accept:prepare children to accept:• Requirements of adult lifeRequirements of adult life• Social, political, and economic statuses the Social, political, and economic statuses the

society providessociety provides

Issues in American EducationIssues in American Education

Unequal access to educationUnequal access to education Students who speak English as a second Students who speak English as a second

language language High-school dropoutsHigh-school dropouts Violence in schoolsViolence in schools Home schooling Home schooling Standardized testing Standardized testing

Unequal Access to EducationUnequal Access to Education Forms of segregationForms of segregation

• De jure segregationDe jure segregation Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, KansasBrown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas

• De facto segregationDe facto segregation ““White flight”White flight”

Financial problemsFinancial problems• Social class, financial aid issuesSocial class, financial aid issues

Students Who Speak English as a Students Who Speak English as a Second LanguageSecond Language 6.3 million children aged 5 to 17 (14%) speak 6.3 million children aged 5 to 17 (14%) speak

a language other than English at homea language other than English at home 3.2 million elementary and secondary school 3.2 million elementary and secondary school

students have limited English proficiencystudents have limited English proficiency

Department of EducationDepartment of Education

High-School DropoutsHigh-School Dropouts Significant social impactSignificant social impact Pay less in taxes (lower earnings)Pay less in taxes (lower earnings) Increase the demand for social services Increase the demand for social services

including welfare, medical assistance, and including welfare, medical assistance, and unemployment compensationunemployment compensation

Less likely to voteLess likely to vote Have poorer healthHave poorer health Greater criminal devianceGreater criminal deviance

• Half of all state prison inmates did not complete Half of all state prison inmates did not complete high school.high school.

Income by Education LevelIncome by Education Level

Home SchoolingHome Schooling A matter of choiceA matter of choice Origins in liberal communityOrigins in liberal community

• Pursuit of personal agenda and curriculumPursuit of personal agenda and curriculum Movement to conservative and religious Movement to conservative and religious

communitycommunity• Fear of undermining community-held values and Fear of undermining community-held values and

normsnorms

Standardized TestingStandardized Testing Scientifically-based evaluationScientifically-based evaluation

• Chart, scientifically and objectively, Chart, scientifically and objectively, different levels of mental achievement and different levels of mental achievement and aptitude. aptitude.

Criticism of standardized testsCriticism of standardized tests• Tests are invalid academically and biased Tests are invalid academically and biased

against minorities.against minorities.

Average SAT ScoresAverage SAT Scores

Gifted StudentsGifted Students Students displaying three atypical traitsStudents displaying three atypical traits

• Precociousness – students who begin early to Precociousness – students who begin early to master some domainmaster some domain

• Nonconformity – insistence on doing things Nonconformity – insistence on doing things according to their own specific rulesaccording to their own specific rules

• A rage to master – desire to know everything there A rage to master – desire to know everything there is to know about a subjectis to know about a subject

Ellen Winner (1996)Ellen Winner (1996)