1. Philosophy of Education
1.1. Pragmatism- think in the order of problem-speculative thought- action- results. John Dewey and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are the ones who did the research and found the Generic Notations. The school should balance the needs of society and community on one hand and the needs of the individual on the other. The teacher is not the authoritarian but is there to encourage, offer suggestions, answer questions, and help plan and implement courses of study. The children will be taught and learn both individually and in groups. They follow an integrated curriculum.
2. Equality of Opportunity
2.1. Class impacts educational outcomes because the longer a student stays in school, the more likely they will need parental finance support. This will favor the wealthier families.
2.2. Race impacts educational outcomes because in the United States it is not a surprise that minorities students receive fewer educational opportunities than white students.
2.3. Gender impacts educational outcomes because women have always been the better students but they do not always get the same level of education.
2.4. Jencks(1985) used the findings to find differences that do exist between public and catholic schools are statistically significant but in terms of significant differences in learning the results are negligible.
2.5. Subsequent studies that have compared public and private schools have also found that private schools do it better.
3. Schools as Organizations
3.1. Fort Payne, AL -- State Senators: Steve Livingston and Richard Shelby House of Representatives: Robert Aderholt. State Superintendent: Michael Sentence. Local Superintendent: James Cunningham. Local School Board Members: Kathy Prater, Neal Baine, Carolyn Martin, Randy McClung, and James Durham
4. Curriculum and Pedagogy
4.1. Social Efficiency in Education is being aware of students interests and ability where they can create their own meaning of the work. The teacher is the manager of learning.
4.2. The mimetic tradition is from one person to another; what most people think of when they think of education.
4.3. Transformative tradition transforms students and help them accomplish what they need to be taught.
5. Politics of Education
5.1. Four Purposes of Education
5.1.1. Intellectual - teach basic cognitive skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics; to transmit specific knowledge. Use higher order thinking.
5.1.2. Political- Inculcate allegiance to the existing political order; Prepare citizens to participate; to help assimilate diverse cultural groups into common order; teach children the basic laws of society
5.1.3. Social- help solve social problems; ensure social cohesion; socialize children into the various roles, behaviors, and values of the society.
5.2. The Role of School
5.2.1. Conservative perspective sees providing necessary educational training to ensure that the most talented and hard-working individuals receive the tools necessary to maximize economic and social productivity. Should socoailize children into the adult roles necessary to the maintenance of the social order.
5.3. Explanations of Unequal Performance
5.3.1. Radicals believe that students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds begin school with unequal opportunities. They believe that conditions that result in educational failure are caused by the economic system, not the educational system.
5.4. Definition of educational problems
5.4.1. Conservatives say there is a decline of standards, cultural, literacy, authority, and values of civilization.
6. History of U.S. Education
6.1. Reform Movement
6.1.1. The Colonial Era: During this time period only the richest men needed an education. Many affluent settlers hired tutors for their sons and sent them back to England for University educations. Nine of the institutions of higher learning were founded during this time period: Harvard, College of William and Mary, Yale, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Rutgers, and Dartmouth College. This era set up the beginning of education. It got everything started.
6.2. Historical Interpretation of U.S. Education
7. Sociological Perspectives
7.1. Theoretical Perspectives
7.1.1. Functionalism- view society as a kind of machine, where one part articulates with another to produce the dynamic energy required to make society work.
7.1.2. Interactionalism- about the relation of school and extensions of the functional and conflict perspectives.
7.1.3. Conflict theory- conflict theorists do not see the relation between school and society as unproblematic or straightforward.
7.2. Five effects of Schooling on Individuals
7.2.1. Employment- graduating from college brings more job opportunities to a person.
7.2.2. Education- You begin to learn everything when you hit the schoolhouse door.
7.2.3. Mobility- Greater opportunities are brought to individuals with a diploma or degree.
7.2.4. Student peer group and alienation- in schools kids who share common interests, struggles, and background can get together to support each other.
7.2.5. Tracking- This helps place students where they need to be on a curriculum base.