Question 1

What have sociologists concluded about the relationship between occupational prestige and job satisfaction?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists have found that while there may be a correlation between occupational prestige and job satisfaction, it is not a guarantee. Factors such as work-life balance, job security, and workplace culture can also impact job satisfaction regardless of job status.

Question 2

The process by which people come to occupy a level within a social hierarchy is

Accepted Answer

The process by which people come to occupy a level within a social hierarchy is known as status attainment. It involves the acquisition of positions based on education, work experience, and other qualifications, rather than simply inherited traits or characteristics (such as race or gender), which would be considered achieved status. While status hierarchy is a concept related to social stratification, it refers more to the ordering or ranking of individuals or groups within a given society, rather than the methods by which they attained their status. Status obtainment is not a commonly used term in sociology.

Question 3

The goal of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was to

Accepted Answer

The NCLB Act was designed to make schools more accountable for student performance. It required schools to administer annual standardized tests and set specific goals for student achievement. Schools that failed to meet these goals faced consequences such as loss of funding or closure. The act aimed to improve the quality of education in the United States by ensuring that all students received a high-quality education regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Question 4

Why were historically black colleges and universities founded?

Accepted Answer

Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were founded specifically to serve African American students who were excluded from attending other colleges due to segregation and discrimination. They provided opportunities for higher education and professional development that were otherwise unavailable to black students.

Question 5

How does tracking limit social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Tracking often assigns students to specific academic paths based on their perceived abilities or past performance. Once a student is labeled as lower-tracked, they may not have access to the same opportunities or resources as higher-tracked students, limiting their social mobility. This can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy where students in lower tracks are not given the chance to excel, keeping them on a predetermined path.

Question 6

What have researchers concluded about the quality of minority segregated schools, on average, in terms of student outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that minority segregated schools, on average, have lower quality and worse student outcomes compared to non-minority schools. Factors such as unequal funding, less experienced teachers, and less rigorous curriculum contribute to these disparities.

Question 7

________ education is when students receive instruction in both their native language and a second language.

Accepted Answer

Bilingual education refers to instruction in both the primary language of the students and a second language, which could be the language of the wider community or a global language like English. This type of education aims to promote bilingualism and biliteracy, as well as to facilitate the academic, linguistic, and socio-cultural development of all students, particularly those who are English Language Learners (ELLs) or come from minority language backgrounds. Bilingual education may take different forms, such as dual-language immersion programs or transitional bilingual programs, depending on the context, goals, and resources of the school or district.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT an accurate description of charter schools?

Accepted Answer

Charter schools are not essentially private schools because they are funded by public money and are required to follow certain regulations, unlike private schools which operate independently.

Question 9

Online higher education

Accepted Answer

Online higher education offers more flexibility and convenience for students who may have other commitments or cannot physically attend a traditional college campus. This accessibility makes it possible for a wider range of students to pursue higher education. Additionally, many universities are now offering online options, making it more widely available.

Question 10

Sociologists have found that educational outcomes are better in

Accepted Answer

Sociologists have found that smaller schools with a communal structure have better educational outcomes. This is because students have closer relationships with their teachers and peers, which leads to a greater sense of belonging and motivation to succeed academically. Additionally, smaller schools allow for more personalized attention and support for each student, which can lead to better academic performance.

Question 11

What was the primary way that the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) evaluated student performance?

Accepted Answer

The primary way that the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) evaluated student performance was through extensive standardized testing. This was used to determine if students were meeting academic standards and to hold schools and teachers accountable for student progress.

Question 12

What are the goals of school choice programs?

Accepted Answer

School choice programs aim to give families the option to select the best school for their children's education. This is achieved through various policies such as vouchers, charter schools, and magnet schools. The main objective is to improve access to quality education by allowing parents to select the most suitable school for their child's needs.

Question 13

What is tracking?

Accepted Answer

Tracking is the practice of grouping students into different curricular paths based on their perceived ability level. This can result in some students being placed in more challenging classes, while others are placed in less challenging classes. This approach has been criticized for exacerbating existing inequalities and limiting the opportunities available to students who are not placed in high-level classes.

Question 14

From a sociological perspective, which of the following is NOT a major contributor in determining where people end up in terms of their adult status and job?

Accepted Answer

Individual merit, while influential, is not considered a major determinant in sociological studies compared to factors like race, community, and parental education, which significantly shape opportunities and outcomes.

Question 15

Which of the following factors has NOT contributed to resegregation in American schools?

Accepted Answer

The other three factors have all been cited as contributing to resegregation in American schools, but there is no evidence that minority parents choosing to send their children to segregated schools has played a significant role. In fact, most research suggests that minority parents are more likely to seek out integrated schools, but are often limited by their options and resources.

Question 16

Anisa and her parents moved to the United States. When Anisa enrolled in school she was placed into a program where she was taught in both her native language and English. What type of educational program does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Anisa is being taught in both her native language and English, which is the core principle of bilingual education.

Question 17

Who runs charter schools?

Accepted Answer

Charter schools are specifically operated by organizations independent of local school districts. These organizations can include nonprofits, for-profit companies, or even universities. While parents of students attending the schools may have some influence, they do not technically run the schools. Local governments also do not typically run charter schools, although they may be involved in the authorization process for the school's charter. The students attending the charter schools are not responsible for running or managing the school.

Question 18

Occupational prestige measures indicate

Accepted Answer

Occupational prestige measures indicate collective attitudes about various jobs in terms of status. It is not related to how long workers remain in an occupation, how people feel about their jobs, or how much money an occupation pays.

Question 19

Which of the following shows the influence of occupational status on interpersonal interactions?

Accepted Answer

This scenario shows how a person's occupational status can influence their behavior in interpersonal interactions. The woman waiting for her doctor may be more patient because she views the doctor as having a higher occupational status and therefore more authority. However, when she is kept waiting for her manicure appointment, she may become irritated because she perceives the manicurist as having a lower occupational status and therefore less authority.

Question 20

How do students in charter schools compare to students in traditional public schools?

Accepted Answer

There is mixed evidence regarding the academic performance of charter school students compared to traditional public school students. Some studies show that charter school students outperform public school students in certain subject areas, while others show no significant difference between the two groups. Additionally, factors such as location, demographics, and curriculum can affect the comparison.

Quiz 13: Education and Work