Question 1

"Between school effects" refers to:

Accepted Answer

"Between school effects" refer to the differences in educational outcomes that can be attributed to factors such as differences in teaching methods, curriculum, resources, and school culture between schools.

Question 2

Martita thinks that public schools in poorer areas in the United States suffer from a lack of resources compared to those in wealthy areas and that this has a major impact on learning and educational achievement.Her views most closely mirror which of the following studies?

Accepted Answer

Jonathan Kozol's Savage Inequalities focuses on the disparities in education resources between wealthy and poor areas, and how this impacts educational achievement. It aligns with Martita's views on the subject.

Question 3

Why are sociologists often critical of the idea of universal education as it exists as a "great equalizer" that creates a more free and equal society?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists often argue that despite the intention of creating a more free and equal society, contemporary schools often reproduce social inequality through a "hidden curriculum." This refers to the unwritten values, beliefs, and norms that are taught indirectly through the structure and content of education. This hidden curriculum can reinforce social hierarchies and perpetuate inequality, particularly in terms of social class, race, and gender. Therefore, sociologists are critical of the idea of universal education as a great equalizer, as they argue that it does not necessarily lead to a more free and equal society.

Question 4

The term school has its origins in a Greek word meaning:

Accepted Answer

The term "school" comes from the Greek word "scholē," which originally meant "leisure" or "recreation," reflecting the idea of leisure time being used for learning and intellectual pursuits.

Question 5

Until the first few decades of the nineteenth century,most of the world's population had no schooling whatsoever.According to the text,why did universal education develop?

Accepted Answer

As the industrial economy expanded, there was a need for an educated workforce to meet the demands of specialized jobs, which led to the development of universal education.

Question 6

The practice of "tracking" can be described as:

Accepted Answer

Tracking is the practice of dividing students into different groups based on perceived levels of ability or achievement. Students in different tracks typically receive different instruction, with higher-level tracks receiving more advanced and challenging material. This practice has been criticized for perpetuating inequalities and limiting opportunities for students in lower-level tracks.

Question 7

Rather than going to public,or even private,schools,Pedro was taught by his parents.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The situation described is an example of homeschooling, where parents take on the responsibility of educating their children at home rather than them attending public or private schools.

Question 8

Compulsory schooling was established in Europe and the United States:

Accepted Answer

Compulsory schooling was established in the nineteenth century in most parts of Europe and the United States. In Europe, Germany was the first country to introduce compulsory schooling in 1763, and other European countries followed in the 19th century. In the United States, Massachusetts was the first state to introduce compulsory schooling in 1852, and other states followed suit in the latter half of the 19th century.

Question 9

Today around __________ of the population fifteen years and older of developing countries is illiterate.

Accepted Answer

Around 20 percent of the population fifteen years and older in developing countries is illiterate, reflecting ongoing challenges in education access and quality.

Question 10

Why are many sociologists opposed to tracking in schools?

Accepted Answer

Many studies have found that tracking in schools reinforces previously existing inequalities for average or poor students, which goes against the goal of equal opportunities for all students.

Question 11

Proponents of __________ in education advocate for competition,for-profit schooling,and performance-based pay for teachers.

Accepted Answer

The described educational approach advocates for privatization, which involves the transfer of public education to private entities operating schools for profit. This system embraces market principles such as competition and performance-based pay, as opposed to the traditional system characterized by government control and unionized teachers.

Question 12

In his research of public schools,the journalist Jonathan Kozol found that in the United States:

Accepted Answer

Jonathan Kozol found that there is incredibly unequal access to basic resources for learning in public schools in the US. This includes adequate facilities, textbooks, and qualified teachers.

Question 13

"Hidden curriculum" refers to:

Accepted Answer

The hidden curriculum refers to the lessons and values that are learned in school through the overall environment and culture, rather than through formal lessons. These may include things like social norms and expectations, values, and beliefs.

Question 14

Chang thinks that students in school largely learn to become obedient and diligent workers despite any formal lessons they might be taught.Sociologists call this the:

Accepted Answer

The term "hidden curriculum" refers to the implicit lessons that are taught in schools, such as obedience, conformity, and deference to authority. These lessons are not typically part of the formal curriculum, but are instead transmitted through the socialization process and the hidden messages contained within school policies, routines, and interactions.

Question 15

As a practice to address racial inequalities in schools in the past,__________ provoked a great deal of opposition,particularly from parents and children in white areas.

Accepted Answer

Busing was a practice that involved transporting students from different racial backgrounds to schools in different areas in an attempt to integrate schools and address racial inequalities. This provoked opposition from parents and children in white areas who did not want to attend schools with students from different racial backgrounds. The opposition was often based on racial prejudices and fears.

Question 16

The term home schooling refers to when:

Accepted Answer

Home schooling refers to when a child is taught by his or her parents, guardians, or a team of adults who oversee the child's educational development. It is a form of education that takes place primarily in the home rather than in a public or private school.

Question 17

Xheng asserts that if a child is put in a higher level grouping for instruction in school,the child is likely to receive better teaching and treatment.Her view most closely resembles which of the following studies?

Accepted Answer

Xheng's view about higher-level grouping for instruction in school is related to the sociological studies of tracking and "within school effects" that examine the impact of classroom assignment and opportunities for academic advancement on students' learning outcomes. The other options do not fit the context of Xheng's argument. For instance, the Stanford prison experiment studied the effects of power and authority on human behavior in a simulated prison environment. Savage Inequalities discussed the unequal distribution of educational resources and funding across schools in the US, particularly affecting minority students. Coleman's studies focused on how school characteristics such as size, composition, and governance affect student achievement. Collins's research examined the role of academic credentials in the job market and social mobility.

Question 18

Kumar thinks that a child's background and environment influence educational attainment more than the physical resources a school has at its disposal.His view most closely resembles the conclusions of which of the following studies?

Accepted Answer

James Coleman's studies on "between school effects" concluded that a student's background and environment have a greater impact on their educational attainment than the physical resources available at their school.

Question 19

According to the text,why was education so rapidly expanded with the development of capitalism in the opinion of Marxist sociologists?

Accepted Answer

According to Marxist sociologists, education was rapidly expanded with the development of capitalism because employers needed workers with certain personality traits that are taught in schools, such as self-discipline, dependability, punctuality, and obedience.

Question 20

Why have sociologists,at times,been critical of Jonathan Kozol's findings on public schools in his work Savage Inequalities?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists have criticized Kozol's research methods in Savage Inequalities, particularly his lack of a systematic selection process for the schools he studied. This creates a potential for selection bias, which could undermine the validity of his findings.

Quiz 12: Education and Religion