1. Equality of Opportunity
2. Curriculum and Pedagogy
3. Schools as Organizations
4. Politics of Education
4.1. Conservative Perspective
4.2. Social evolution as a process that enables the strongest to survive and looks at human and social evolution as adaptation changes, developed by William G, Sumner. (pg.23)
4.2.1. People must compete in the social environment in order to survive, and human progress is dependent on that person's drive and initiative
4.2.1.1. The free market or market economy of capitalism is both the most economically procuctive economic system and the system that is most respectful of human needs.
4.2.1.1.1. Reagan philosophy stressed individual initiative and portrayed the individual as the only one capable of solving their own problems.
4.3. Traditional Visions of Education
4.3.1. Traditional vision tend to view the schoos as necessary to the transmission of the traditional values of the U,S, society; as hard work, personal initiative, and family unity.
4.3.1.1. Traditionalists believe the schools should pass on the best of what was and wat is.
5. History of U.S. Education
5.1. The Rise of the Common School
5.2. On page 67, the decades following 1815,a group of reformers emerged. These men and women of lacked higher education and did not hold public office but often articulated their ideas with the fervor of evangelical Chirstianity.
5.3. The struggle for free public education was led by Horse Mann of Massachusetts.
5.4. Horace Mann's annual reports served as models for public school reforms throughout the nation, and, partly due to Mann's efforts, the first state normal school or training school, was established in Lexington, Massachusetts in 1839. (pg 67)
5.5. On page 68, Mann's arguments for the establishment of the common school, or free publicly funded elementary schools, reflects both the concern for stability and order and the concern for social mobility-both of which were to be addressed through free public education.
5.6. The Democratic-Liberal School
5.7. Democratic- liberals believe that the history of US education involves the progressive evolution of a school system committed to providing equality of opportunity for all.
5.8. The ideals of equality and excellence are just that: ideals. Democratic-liberals believe that the US educational system must continue to move closer to each, without sacrificing one or the other too dramatically.
6. Sociological Perspectives
6.1. Theoretical Perspectives
6.2. There are three major theories about the relation between school and society: Functional, conflict, and interactional. (pg 117)
6.3. Effects of Schooling on Individuals
6.3.1. Knowledge and Attitude
6.3.2. Generally, it is found that the higher the social class background of the student, the higher his or her achievement level.
6.3.2.1. More recent research, which compares public and private schools, also indicates that in schools where students are compelled to take academic subjects and where there is consistent discipline, students achievement levels go up.
6.3.3. Employment
6.3.3.1. In 1986, about 54% of the 8 million college graduates in the US entered professional and technical jobs (pg 122)
6.3.3.1.1. In 2011, high school graduates earned, on the average $32,552; college graduates earned $53,976 (U.S Bureau of the Census, 2003a).
6.3.4. Education and Mobilty
6.3.4.1. Private and public school students may receive the same amount of education, but a private school diploma may act as a "mobility escalator" because it represents a more prestigious educational route (Cookson & Persell, 1985).