Explanations of Educational Inequality

Chapter 9

Conflicting Theories of Educational Inequality

Functionalist vision of meritorcratic selection of the best and brightest regardless of family background…schooling produces unequal results based on individual differences and unequal educational opportunitiesMust insure the elimination of structural barriers to educational success and provide all groups a fair chance to compete in the educational marketplace

Conflicting Theories of Educational Inequality

See the role of schooling to reproduce rather than eliminate inequality, that educational outcomes are largely based on family background is consistent with Conflict TheoryConcerned with both equality of opportunity and equality of results or at least significantly reduce differences

Interactionist TheoryOne must understand the interaction of families and schools in order to understand the factors explaining academic success and failureFunctionalists tend to favor out of school explanations, conflict theorists tend to favor in-school explanationsMultidimensional approach: societal, institutional, interactional, intrapsychic variables

Student-Centered Explanations

Economic disadvantaged children attend inferior schools…but…research suggests there are far more significant differences in academic performance among students in the same school than among students in different schoolsColeman Report suggested factors of difference has more to do with the students themselves, their families, culture, makeup

Genetic DifferencesThe genetic or biological argument is the most controversialArthur Jensen (1969) argued that unequal performance due to genetic differences in intelligencePreponderance of research suggests that the most significant factor affecting intelligence is socialThe Bell Curve (1994) Herrnstein and Murray made a similar argument

Cultural Deprivation Theories

Argued that students came to school without the requisite intellectual and social skills necessary for school successWorking class and nonwhite families seen as lacking the cultural resources, having a deprived culture and inappropriate values for successProject Head Start based on this theory

Cultural Difference Theories

Attribute cultural differences to social forces such as poverty, racism, discrimination and unequal life chancesTension between standard English required for school success and “slang-English”Linguistic codes are at the heart of unequal power relationsSubordinate groups often see little reason to embrace the culture of schooling…labor market barriers exist regardless of schooling

School-Centered Explanations

School financing…generally vast differences between districtsInequality of funding not a moral issue alone but also a political issue…does the political will exist to close the monetary gaps between schools

Effective School ResearchA climate of high expectationsStrong and effective leadershipAccountability processesMonitoring of student learningA high degree of time on taskFlexibility to experiment and try new things

Between-School Differences

School climate…authoritarian or more student-centeredDifferent school environments allow students to dream different dreams, different life expectations

Within-School DifferencesCurriculum and Ability GroupingFunctionalist perspective—tracking is valuable tool if it is fair and meritocraticConflict theorists see tracking based on ascriptive characteristics reproducing inequalities“Tracking has a significant effect on educational attainment at both elementary and secondary levels.”

Gender and SchoolingSecond wave of feminism began in 1960s and challenged the view that biology is destiny…differences between men and women more cultural than biological Gilligan sees women as valuing connectedness and caring rather than Kohlberg’s justice orientation…different not less than…schools tend to reinforce stereotypes through hidden curriculum