This document discusses theories of social stratification and equality of educational opportunity. It describes functionalist theory and conflict theory as two opposing views on unequal class systems. Functionalist theory views stratification as beneficial to society by motivating people to fulfill needed roles, while conflict theory sees it as perpetuating advantages for some groups over others. The document also examines factors like public vs private schools, ability grouping, teacher expectations, and home environment that can affect educational achievement and social stratification.
2. ďLies the key to our future
ďMost people believe that schooling is
directly linked to occupational and financial
success.
ďSchools should produced individuals who
can function in society.
4. ⢠Public or private schools
⢠Ability grouping
⢠Home and community environments
⢠Teacher and student expectations
5. STRATIFICATION â It refers to our position
in the society.
- Upper class
- Middle class
- Lower class
6. ďAccording to Max Weber
Class â described as a multidimensional
concept which is determined by three
major variable: wealth, power, and
prestige.
7. ďWealth â refers to oneâs
property, capital, and income.
ďPower â implies the ability to make major
decisions or to influence others to act in
oneâs benefit.
ďOccupation is a main factor in oneâs
prestige. Esucation affects occupational
status, and income is closely associated
with it.
8. Two opposing theories of stratification are
most often used to explain the unequal
class system in our society:
Functionalist (consensus) theory
Conflict Theory
9. ďFunctionalist Theory
According to this
perspective, each part of society is related
to each other part in the total society. In
order to maintain a working balance
between the parts, the system has certain
requirements and agreed-upon rules.
10. ďPeople are induced to do what society
needs done, motivated to fulfill roles by
extrinsic rewards (money, prestige)
ďThe importance of a particular role and
scarcity of qualified persons to fill the role
determine the prestige ranking of position.
For instance, doctors are seen as more
important than bartenders, and have more
prestige and higher pay.
11. ďThose positions which are most complex
and important require the most talent and
trainingâthat is, education---are the most
highly rewarded.
12. ďConflict Theory
They believe that problems in the
educational system stem from the conflicts
in the society as a whole. Education is but
one part of a system which is based on
âhaveâ and âhave-notâ.
13. ď Reproductionists, revisionists, and neo-
Marxists â stemming from the idea that the
upper-middle class âconspiresâ to perpetuate
their own class interests by limiting access to
educational opportunities for other groups.
ď âCultural Capitalâ - Parents provide their
children with cultural capital by transmitting
the attitudes and knowledge needed to
succeed in the current educational system.
15. ďEqual opportunity exists when all
people, even those without
status, wealth, or membership in a
privileged group,have an equal chance of
achieving a high socioeconomic status in
society regardless of their sex, minority
status, or social class.
16. Equal opportunity (James Coleman)
Providing free education
Provide common curriculum
Provide that children from diverse
backgrounds attend the same school
17. ďConcept of equality of educational
opportunity means providing equal
facilities, finances for schools and
availability of schooling.
18. ďPublic vs Private Schools
ďTracking and Ability grouping
ďTeacher expectations
(self-fulfilling prophecy)
ďHome Environment Effects on Educational
Achievement and Stratification