Sociology paper about education

Education Chapter Summary This chapter examines some of the challenges we face in education. The chapter begins by presenting both an optimist and pessimistic account of education as a social institution. The optimism stems from the fact that earning diplomas and degrees can lead to upward social mobility for everyone regardless of one’s background. In addition, more and more Americans are graduating from both high school and college. The pessimism enters as we recognize that the educational system is not fair and equal for everyone that is a part of it. In addition, there is growing concern that the U.S. is falling behind in the number of adults earning college degrees in comparison to other high-income nations. The sociological perspectives provide insight into the institution of education. Functionalists examine both the manifest and latent functions of education. Education’s primary manifest function is to educate, while some of the latent functions include serving as a babysitter and controlling the entry and timing of young people into the labor force. Conflict theorists focus on the social and economic inequalities inherent in our educational system and how the system perpetuates these inequalities. The Feminist perspective reveals the persistent replication of gender relations in schools evidenced by the privileging of males over females. Finally, Interactionists examine the meaning and interaction that takes place in the classroom. The “crisis” that seems to be present in the public school system has been the focus of every president starting with Ronald Reagan. Educational reform has been dubbed the remedy to all the ailments of the educational system including such things as illiteracy, inequalities based on social class, gender, ethnicity/race, and violence and harassment in schools. Though the U.S. spends more per capita on education than other high-income countries, our literacy scores are average in world comparison. The lower one’s socioeconomic status, the greater the chance of dropping out of school at an early age. Today, males and females graduate from high school and college at similar rates; however, gender differences in the type of degree received continue to reflect gender tracking. Academic achievement gaps are pervasive for blacks, Hispanics, and Native-American students. Schools are often referred to as “battle grounds” because of the media attention they receive when violence breaks out. Though for different specific reasons, Hispanic, black, and LGBT students miss a lot of days of school because they do not feel safe at school. Finally, some research suggests that over eighty percent of students experience some form of sexual harassment while attending school. The solutions to the problems stated above are often addressed in the creation of new educational policies through advocacy and innovation. The Goals 2000 Educate America Act and No Child Left Behind Act created student performance standards and endorsed the use of school choice respectively. Head Start has been aimed at combating poverty among school aged children. A number of initiatives such as mentoring strive to fight against gender inequalities in education and the workplace. LBGT students have successfully started student alliance groups to fight prejudice and discrimination against gay students. Additionally once out of the K-12 grades, the increases in costs in Higher Education are limiting people based on socio-economic status. Financial barriers keep many regulated. Students who find the money to attend are spending more, and taking on more debt to pay tuition. In 2012 President Barak Obama called on institutions of higher education to make their schools more

affordable; but concerns have been voiced over maintaining quality educational standards in a society with increased educational needs. Two additional areas of importance have also been tackled recently in education: School violence and school choice. As awareness of school violence has increased, so have the calls for effective means of prevention. The current focus is less on reacting to school violence and more on promoting school safety though prevention, planning, and preparation. Advocates of school choice argue it allows those students in failing schools to transfer to schools with more sound academic programs. Opponents argue that though a few students might benefit from this arrangement, a large number of economically challenged schools and students suffer catastrophic ramifications as they cannot afford to improve the learning environment with dwindling funding.

Lecture Outline: Chapter 8 – Education 1 Chapter introduction: Education as a social institution. 2 Education is assumed to be the “great equalizer” in our society. 3 Images of failure in the media and political rhetoric alarm us into thinking education is an

institutional failure. 1 The new educational standard. 2 A high school diploma was at one time the educational standard, while today it has

become a bachelor’s degree. 3 More and more young Americans are earning both high school diplomas and college

degrees. 4 Americans living in the Northeast are more likely than the rest of the country to have a

bachelor's level degree or higher. • Sociological perspectives on educa tion. 1 Functionalists examine both the manifest, or intended goals or consequences of

education, and the latent or unintended consequences of education. 2 Education’s primary manifest function is to educate. 3 Education’s latent functions include, among other things, serving as a babysitter and

controlling the entry and timing of young people into the labor force. 4 Conflict theorists focus on the social and economic inequalities inherent in our

educational system and how the system perpetuates these inequalities. 5 The feminist perspective reveals the persistent replication of gender relations in schools

evidenced by the privileging of males over females. 6 Interactionists ask the question, “In what ways does classroom interaction educate?” 1 Problems and challenges in American education. 2 While the media and some politicians often report that public education is in a state of

crisis, others contend that the “crisis” is fabricated by well meaning, or not so well meaning politicians, educational experts, and business leaders.

3 The call for significant educational reform started during the Reagan administration and has continued with every successive president.

4 Illiteracy complicates the ability of adults to find and retain employment, support their children’s education, and participate in their communities.

5 Though the U.S. spends more per capita on education than other high-income countries, our literacy scores are average in a world comparison.

6 The lower one’s socioeconomic status, the greater the chance he/she will drop out of school at an early age.

7 Poor children are not just poor economically, but also educationally as they begin school less prepared and struggle to keep up with their peers.

8 While high school and college completion rates are now similar for males and females, gender differences in the type of degree received continue to reflect gender tracking.

9 There are persistent academic achievement gaps between black, Hispanic, and Native- American students, and their white and Asian peers.

10 As the number of Latino, Asian, and black students grow in large numbers in the U.S., there is concern that the educational inequalities that already exist will continue growing and lead to more inequalities and social conflict.

11 Low levels of educational achievement among Latino students are due in part to high levels of poverty and a lack of emphasis on educational importance within the family.

12 Negative stereotypes, it is believed, are self-fulfilling and lead to disrupting intellectual performance among female and African-American students.

13 While schools are a safe place for students overall, they have been characterized as “battle grounds” because of high profile tragedies such as the Virginia Tech

University massacre in 2007. 1 Hispanic and black students are more likely to miss school than white students because

they feel unsafe at school. 2 LGBT students are more likely to be assaulted, threatened, or skip school because they

feel unsafe compared to heterosexual students. 3 Over eighty percent of students in a 2001 survey stated they had experienced some form

of sexual harassment. 4 Controlling the costs of higher education is a future challenge that faces state schools. The president has called on schools to make education more affordable and increase access to all Americans. Critics have suggested that this is difficult to do without serious consequences to the quality of education. 1 Community, policy, and social action. 2 Congressional acts passed in 1994 and 2001 called for sweeping reform and change to

our educational system. 3 Goals 2000 Educate America Act, signed into law in 1994, created student performance

standards and a National Education Standards and Improvement Council. 4 No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 endorsed the increasingly popular use of school choice

and charter schools. 5 Head Start, while criticized for not doing enough, is often stated to be one of the most

effective federal programs initiated to combat poverty among school aged children. 6 A number of initiatives have been created, like Girls Can! as mentoring programs to fight

against gender inequalities in education and the workplace. 7 LGBT students have been successful in starting student alliance groups to fight the

negative consequences of prejudice and discrimination against gay students.

8 School violence has been addressed by prevention programs, better security, and police- school liaison projects.

9 Education Statistics reveal that more parents are turning away from local public schools to private schools or charter schools.

10 Magnet schools are schools that offer specialized educational programs. 11 Charter schools are nonsectarian schools that operate free from most state laws and local

school board policies which apply to traditional public schools.