CHAPTER 16 - Education

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Questions and Answers

What criticism do sociologists have regarding Kozol's research on educational inequality?

It lacks systematic methods in school selection. (correct)

It ignores funding disparities.

It overestimates the effects of tracking.

It focuses too much on wealthy schools.

How do sociologists view tracking within schools?

It helps identify gifted students effectively.

It is viewed as having negative effects. (correct)

It is only a problem in urban areas.

It promotes equal opportunities for all students.

What did Jeannie Oakes find about schools that claimed not to track students?

They still employed informal tracking methods. (correct)

They performed better academically.

They rigorously checked for tracking practices.

They had no sorting mechanisms at all.

Why is the practice of tracking considered to perpetuate social inequalities?

It labels students based on perceived abilities early on. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What labels did Oakes find developing in schools that implemented tracking?

High ability, low-achieving, slow, average. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason Kozol's account of educational inequality is seen as incomplete?

It does not consider how school policies affect inequality. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of tracking in education?

Dividing students for different instruction based on perceived ability. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of educational inequality was highlighted by Kozol's work?

The stark differences between wealthy and impoverished school districts. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Race to the Top program?

To stimulate innovation and reform in K-12 education. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which criticism is commonly associated with the Race to the Top program?

It fails to recognize the impact of high-stakes testing. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are states required to demonstrate in order to compete for Race to the Top funds?

Plans for developing common standards and assessing students. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What issue is raised by critics regarding the reliance on high-stakes testing?

It fails to address underlying socioeconomic challenges. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common concern expressed by teachers' unions regarding standardized tests?

They inaccurately measure teacher effectiveness. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a requirement for states to participate in Race to the Top?

Building data systems to track student growth. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of education is highlighted as needing improvement in the Race to the Top program?

Enhancing teacher recruitment and retention. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason critics believe the federal government should not influence local schools?

Federal policies can lead to unequal funding distribution. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role does lifelong learning play in the context of a knowledge society?

It supports self-development and human values. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do partnerships with local businesses benefit educational outcomes?

They foster interaction and mentorship relationships. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which outcomes are associated with the concept of tracking in education?

It can lead to academic achievement disparities. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was a major criticism of the No Child Left Behind policy?

It encouraged schools to prioritize standardized testing. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common factor contributing to high rates of illiteracy in developing nations?

Limited access to educational resources. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does cultural and psychological factors relate to educational outcomes?

They influence the ways education is perceived and valued. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one goal of the Race to the Top initiative?

To promote innovation and reform in education systems. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key element of lifelong learning programs for the elderly?

They allow individuals to pursue interests of their own choosing. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of sociology of education discussed in this chapter?

Reviewing historical and theoretical perspectives of education (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the achievement gap refer to in the context of education?

Disparity in academic success among different student groups (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups is specifically mentioned as experiencing a lower achievement in education?

African Americans and other minorities (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to Sean Reardon's research, what trend has been observed regarding the achievement gap over the last few decades?

It has increased between the richest and poorest students (C) Signup and view all the answers

What demographic factors are highlighted as influences on the achievement gap?

Social background and socioeconomic status (A) Signup and view all the answers

How much larger is the class-based achievement gap for children born in 2001 compared to those born in the 1970s?

30 to 40 percent larger (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which achievement gap is mentioned as being nearly twice as large as the black-white achievement gap?

Socioeconomic achievement gap (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'social background' encompass in the context of educational inequalities?

The educational and economic resources of one’s parents (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a limitation of focusing solely on abstract mathematical puzzles when defining intelligence?

It overlooks other important skill areas. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of intelligence involves the ability to control and assess emotions?

Emotional intelligence (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the average score designated on most IQ tests?

100 points (A) Signup and view all the answers

How is emotional intelligence regarded in relation to professional success?

It is equally important as other forms of intelligence. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What has been argued about the definition of intelligence?

It is best understood through IQ testing measures. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What label do individuals receive if they score below the average on an IQ test?

Below-average intelligence (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a type of intelligence mentioned in the content?

Creative intelligence (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is measuring intelligence considered fundamentally difficult?

It resists a universally accepted definition. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does the Department of Education suggest has a stronger correlation with improvement status than the strategies used by schools?

School poverty (D) Signup and view all the answers

What has been a consequence of the current emphasis on testing in schools?

Narrowing of course offerings (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to any sociological research, what do inequalities in educational opportunities reflect?

Social divisions and tensions (C) Signup and view all the answers

Jean Anyon argues that improving schools requires linking educational reform to what broader reforms?

Economic reforms (D) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the world population over the age of 15 is reported to be illiterate?

15% (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do youth literacy rates compare to adult literacy rates in nearly every region of the world?

Youth literacy rates are higher (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic is primarily represented among the illiterate population worldwide?

Women (D) Signup and view all the answers

What has contributed to the educational disparities observed in urban and high-poverty schools?

Political and economic forces (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Education Statistics

The 2015 high school graduation rate in the United States was 83 percent.

Sociological Theories of Education

Sociologists explore achievement gaps among student groups.
Schools are understood as social institutions that help us become members of society.
Social influences on education are explored.
Critical theories of the social reproduction of class inequalities are examined.

Research on Education Today

Research on educational inequality exists looking at macrosocial and microsocial factors.
Coleman's study examined between-school effects.
Extensive research has shown significant differences in outcomes across schools, with disparities driven by neighborhood factors and school resources.
Studies show disparities in education based on social class/backgrounds.
Tracking/ability grouping negatively impacts educational outcomes of children in lower tracks.
The "acting white" thesis attempts to explain lower achievement among minorities.

Gender & Achievement

Gender-based achievement differences exist with boys generally scoring higher in math.

Homeschooling

Homeschooling has increased significantly in recent years.
Parents opt to homeschool for numerous reasons including concerns about the school environment.

International Education

International student enrollment is increasing.
Sociologists consider international students as part of globalization and its implications.
Concerns about the cost to the economy are sometimes raised by those opposed to increased international students.

Educational Technology

Technology has profound effects on education, impacting learning styles and access.

Unanswered Questions

The interaction of genetics and environment in shaping intelligence remains a key research topic.
Homeschooling's effectiveness and its role as a substitute for formal schooling are investigated.
Benefits to different groups from international education continue to be an ongoing topic.

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