1. Sociology of Education
1.1. 1. Define the theoretical perspective concerning the relationship between school and society: functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionalism.
1.1.1. Functionalism: Functionalism is the behavior and actions from life at school and life at home with their peers, teachers and parents.
1.1.2. Conflict theory: is theorized as the determination of whether the child will succeed or fail because of other social conflicts.
1.1.3. Interactionalism: is the secure and safe relationship between students and teachers that help motivate a appropriate environment for students to learn.
1.2. 1. Education and Mobility: "The belief that occupational and social mobility begin at the schoolhouse door is a critical component of the American ethos."
1.2.1. 2. Teacher Behavior: Teacher behavior has a huge impact on student learning. If a teacher has a positive attitude about teaching than it will encourage the students to learn and be excited for school.
1.2.1.1. 2. Identify and describe 5 effects of schooling on individuals that you think have the greatest impact on students as explained in the book.
1.3. 3. Tracking: Track placement directly affects cognitive development and students who are in lower tracks tend to have more attention from teachers than high track students.
1.3.1. 4. Gender: Schools reproduce inequalities through gender discrimination. Men are usually paid more than women for the same work. Also girl are usually more advanced in school but by the end of high school, girls have lower self esteem and lower aspirations than boys do.
1.3.1.1. 5. Employment: Studies show that most students believe that graduating from college will lead to greater employment opportunities which is true.
2. Philosophy of Education
2.1. Pragmatism is an approach that assesses the meaning of beliefs or theories of the success of their practical application.
2.1.1. Existentialism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes the existence of a individual person as a responsible and free agent determining their own development.
2.1.1.1. 1. Describe the particular world view of one of student-centered philosophy of education.
2.2. Generic Notations was experimentalism. It was founded on behavioralism, psychology and the philosophy of pragmatism. They believe that they were placed on this earth to make sense of the chaos that they encounter on their own.
2.2.1. The goal of education is for teachers to observe and learn from that rather than examinations. It is important for teachers to learn from students and form their own opinion.
2.3. The method of instruction is where teachers take part in students learning. It is important for teachers to lecture material but also have the students take part in hands on activities and learn through experience.
2.3.1. Curriculum is the subjects containing a course of study in a school.
3. Schools as Organizations
3.1. 1. Federal Senators: Doug Jones and Richard Shelby. House of Representatives:Terri Sewell and Mo Brooks. Superintendent: Michael Sentence. State School Board Representative: Kay Ivey. Huntsville City Superintendent: Dr. Matthew Akin. Huntsville City Board: Elisa Ferrell. Board Members: Beth Wilder, Michelle Watkins, Pamela Hill.
3.1.1. 2. Change in school processes is needed especially with teachers and policy. School cultures are political and always changing. Due to schools being so highly political, change in this is very difficult.
3.1.1.1. 2. Identify and describe the elements of change within school processes and school cultures.
3.2. 1. Identify major stakeholders in your district by name.
4. Equality of Opportunity
4.1. 1. Describe how class, race, and gender each impact educational outcomes.
4.1.1. The upper middle class students usually have more education assets. Teachers usually expect more from upper middle class students. Labeling these students usually holds back these students rather than helping them. Race and stereotyping still plays a factor in educational outcomes in society. African american and hispanic students on average have lower SAT scores than white students. Academic gender differences still remain a factor in our society. Men usually receive academic advantages and academic awards.
4.2. 2. What were two responses to the Coleman Study from 1982?
4.2.1. 1. There is a large academic and discipline difference in private schools and public schools. 2. Private schools are more successful academically, especially for low-income students.
5. School Reform
5.1. 1. Describe two school-based reforms.
5.1.1. 1. Teacher Quality: It is important to hire qualified teachers in the subject that the teacher knows best. The big issue with teacher quality is simply hiring a teacher who is not educated on what they are teaching. Teachers need to be knowledgable of the content that they are teaching. 2. Teacher Education: If schools are failing, teachers must be evaluated to assure proper material and curriculum are being taught. When schools have significant drops in test scores, there needs to be an investigation on why this is happening.
5.2. 2. Describe two societal, economic, community, or political reforms.
5.2.1. School Finance Reform: Many students are left behind when it comes to advances in technology and education based off their financial opportunities within their area. All schools should be able to provide efficient materials for their students.Sommunity and Social Reform: These reforms help reduce the achievement gap based off support each school receives. Success is the main goal of education but seems to be more successful in wealthier school systems.
6. Politics of Education
6.1. Intellectual
6.1.1. Teaching basic fundamental skills to develop a higher order of thinking such as reading, writing and mathematics.
6.2. Social
6.2.1. To create a generation capable of solving social problems and to socialize children in the role of society to come together as one unit.
6.3. Economic
6.3.1. Prepare for occupational roles and train students in the division of labor. To train students for the future occupational role in society.
6.4. Political
6.4.1. Help diverse cultural groups into a common political order and prepare future political candidates.
6.5. 1. Identify and describe the four purposes of education.
6.6. 2. Choose and describe a perspective for each of the following.
6.6.1. 1. The role of the school should help the students reach their full potential and become a productive member of society. 2. Explanations of unequal performance: Students succeed through hard work. Schools should allow the students the opportunity to succeed. 3. Definition of educational problems: The decline of values, standards and authority.
7. History of U.S. Education
7.1. 1. Choose and describe a reform movement that you think has had the most influence on education.
7.1.1. Horace Mann believed that education should be available to more students. He believed that schooling should be free and all children should be required to get an education to become better citizens.
7.2. 2. Choose and describe one historical interpretation of U.S. Education
7.2.1. Democratic education believes in providing a good quality and equal education for all. Also believing in value of trust, respect and fairness. Democratic education believes that the students voice and opinions are just as equal as the teachers.
8. Curriculum & Pedagogy
8.1. 1. Explain a curriculum theory which you advocate (humanist, social efficiency, developmentalist, or social meliorist).
8.1.1. A curriculum theory that I advocate is the social efficiency theory. The social efficiency theory states that schools should be used to help improve society by teaching what is needed to be functional and productive in society.
8.2. 2. Identify and describe the two dominant traditions of teaching.
8.2.1. The first dominant tradition of teaching is the Mimetic tradition. This states that there is a basic core of knowledge to be learned by everyone. The second dominant tradition of teaching is the Transformative tradition. The Transformative tradition states that students should be the main focus of the curriculum.
9. Educational Inequality
9.1. 1. Explain two types of cultural differences theories.
9.1.1. 1. Non- white students reject the culture of their schools and follow an anti-school culture. 2. African American students hold themselves back academically because the believe that their families and schools do not encourage them to strive to be successful.
9.2. 2. Describe four school-centered explanations for educational inequality.
9.2.1. 1. Effective school research: Teachers need to do all they can do possible to be educated on what they are teaching their students and help make the learning fun for them. 2. School financing: Schools need to have learning materials for the students and the funding to teach the students. 3. Curriculum practices: Schools in middle class areas are less likely to have authoritarian. Students who are upper class tend to attend private school where there is authority and high quality education. 4. Gender: Men are more likely to be rewarded in academic awards rather than women. There needs to be equality in education.