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Problems in Education. Links. RSA Animation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U Chomsky on Purpose of education http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdNAUJWJN08. The State of Education: A Global Perspective.
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Links • RSA Animation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U • Chomsky on Purpose of education http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdNAUJWJN08
The State of Education: A Global Perspective Education - social institution by which society transmits knowledge including basic facts, job skills, and cultural norms and values to its members Schooling - formal instruction carried out by specially trained teachers Schooling is more available in some parts of the world than others
The Global and Historical Context • Many societies have no formal mechanism of schooling • Throughout the world, 1 in 5 adults cannot read or write. 2/3 of them are women • Has the United States always had formal schooling?
Thomas Jefferson, an advocate and pioneer of the American educational system, believed that education is important to promoting active citizenship and a democratic self-government. What did he mean?
Characteristics of Education in the U.S. • Education as a Conserving Force • Schools indoctrinate students in the culturally prescribed ways. • Mass Education • Many students attend school for the wrong reason.
Characteristics of Education in the U.S. • Preoccupation with Order and Control • A Fragmented Education System • Private • Homeschooling • Charter • Vouchers
Characteristics of Education in the U.S. • Local Control of Education • Financing of schools through local taxes • Intrusion of religious views of the majority • Sifting and Sorting Function of Schools • RSA Animation
Sociological Theory and Education • Functionalism
Sociological Theory and Education • Symbolic Interactionism
Is education the “great equalizer”? Why or why not? • Popular construction of education and Success?
Sociological Theory and Education • Conflict
??? • What are some of the primary problems with the American educational system? • How is education connected to other social problems?
Problems in Education-I. Educational Inequality • Social Class and family Background • SES is one of the best predictors of educational success and likelihood of attending college • Educational performance clearly linked to SES • Race and ethnicity • Hispanics and blacks have lower educational achievement at almost every level-Connected to SES, ELL status, biased testing, and overt discrimination ***Race/ethnicity and SES highly correlated
Problems in Education-II. Poor Performance • U.S. International Rankings
Understanding Educational Problems • Critical Constructionism-A structural approach • Schools perpetuate inequality • Educational System is stacked in favor of middle- and upper-class children and against children from the lowest classes • The education system reinforces socioeconomic and racial differences in the U.S.
Understanding Educational Problems • Financing Public Education • Inadequately funded schools • Financing of public education is upside down
Understanding Educational Problems • Family Economic Resources • Average SAT scores are linked to family income and race. • Affluence and educational advantages • Higher Education and Stratification • Racial minorities are underrepresented in colleges.
Understanding Educational Problems • Segregation • Tracking and Teacher’s Expectations • Stigma • Self-fulfilling prophecy • Future payoff • Student subculture