Exam 11: Education: What Are We Learning

According to functional theorists, the hidden curriculum is a social and economic agenda that is responsible for differentiating social classes.

Carolina has been considering dropping out of school. However, she now realizes that attending school on a daily basis has a relatively low social cost, yet there are many rewards associated with graduation, so she has decided to stay in school. Which theoretical consideration most strongly influenced this decision?

Which of the following is not a latent function of education?

__________ refers to hiring male teachers at higher pay levels than female teachers, having more male-dominated extracurricular activities, and increased vocational curricula.

Describe three latent functions of education and give examples not from the text.

Does education in the United States serve as a meritocracy, in your opinion? In your essay, detail the functions that schools serve for all students. Also, highlight the various ways that schools perpetuate or create social inequalities. What can educators, administrators, and students do to emphasize meritocracy?

The statement "Formal and informal education serve certain crucial purposes in society, especially as societies modernize" most closely reflects:

According to the conflict perspective, schools teach students from lower socioeconomic positions to obey authority and accept the dominant ideology.

Which of the following statements about tracking is false?

Some social scientists claim that American schools destroy non-American (e.g., Asian, African, Hispanic) culture. Do you agree with this statement? Support your argument using symbolic interaction, rational choice, structural-functional, or conflict theory. Include the role of norms and socialization in your response.

Research shows that the Head Start program in the United States increases the likelihood that enrolled children stay in school.

Because IQ tests measure innate intelligence, students' socioeconomic status rarely affects their scores on the tests.

Sociologists argue that family background is the single most important influence on children's school achievement.

Boys experience "hostile hallways" in more physically and psychologically harmful ways than girls.

The statement "The educational system is not equally beneficial to all or even to the majority of citizens" most closely reflects:

The school system in a local community is often the source of pride and the unifying symbol of identity in the community.

Which of the following groups is most likely to be closely knit and egalitarian?

According to conflict theory, the prosocial values and social competencies learned in academic boot camp are necessary for social cohesion.

The hidden curriculum is part of the formal system of schooling.

Overall, the United States spends more money per student on education than most other industrialized nations.