Question 1

Jacobson and Rosenthal's Pygmalion in the Classroom showed that

Accepted Answer

Jacobson and Rosenthal's Pygmalion in the Classroom showed that teachers' expectations about students can greatly impact student performance. When teachers expected certain students to do well, those students tended to perform better in the classroom. This shows the power of teacher expectations in shaping student outcomes.

Question 2

What does a sociological perspective tell us about education in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A sociological perspective emphasizes the influence of social factors, such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status, on educational outcomes. Research has shown that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to achieve educational success than their more advantaged peers, and that this is due in part to systemic inequalities in the education system. Therefore, educational success is not solely based on individual ability, but is also influenced by social stratification.

Question 3

What is one reason that critics might object to school vouchers?

Accepted Answer

Critics of school vouchers often argue that they will drain funds from public schools and cause them to deteriorate further, especially in low-income areas where public schools may already be underfunded. Critics also argue that vouchers may not cover the full cost of private school tuition, leaving lower-income families unable to afford the remaining costs and exacerbating educational inequities.

Question 4

According to Randall Collins,our educational system is much like a "tribal initiation rite," a "secret society," or a "closed occupational caste." For Collins,it is not a rational system that produces more efficient production but a mechanism for

Accepted Answer

Randall Collins believes that the educational system is not designed to produce more efficient production, but it is a mechanism for reproducing the existing class structure. The system creates a closed occupational caste, similar to a secret society or tribal initiation rite, which keeps certain groups in power and limits mobility for others. This perpetuates inequality and maintains the status quo.

Question 5

Sociologists have noted that the informal teaching practices and power relationships by which schools operate produce a disconnect between democratic values and what actually goes on in schools.About what concept are such arguments referring?

Accepted Answer

The arguments are referring to the concept of the hidden curriculum, which encompasses the unwritten norms, values, and beliefs that are taught implicitly in schools through the socialization process. These can include social hierarchies, obedience to authority, and gender expectations, among other things. The hidden curriculum can perpetuate inequalities and serve as a barrier to achieving democratic values in education.

Question 6

Schools that blend high school and college are called

Accepted Answer

Schools that blend high school and college are called early college high schools.

Question 7

What development transformed and expanded the role of distance learning in the American educational system?

Accepted Answer

The rise of the Internet has transformed and expanded the role of distance learning in the American educational system, allowing students to access coursework and teachers remotely, and enabling institutions to offer online classes and degree programs.

Question 8

How does the academic achievement of homeschooled students compare to that of public school students?

Accepted Answer

Multiple studies have shown that, on average, homeschooled students perform better academically than their public school counterparts. This is true across all subjects, including reading, math, and science. While there is some variation in results depending on the study and the specific groups being compared, overall, the evidence suggests that homeschooling can be an effective educational option for students.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of how the hidden curriculum can reinforce inequality?

Accepted Answer

The presence of mostly white and heterosexual professors and administrators reinforces the message that success and leadership are reserved for those identities. This sends a message to students that those who do not fit into those identities may not be as valued or qualified for leadership roles.

Question 10

In his book,Savage Inequalities,former teacher Jonathan Kozol conducted an ethnography of public schools in major cities across the United States.According to his study,how do schools reinforce inequality?

Accepted Answer

Kozol's study found that schools reinforce inequality by using local property taxes to fund public schools, which results in poor children being trapped in poorly funded schools due to the lower property values in their neighborhoods. This creates a cycle of inequality where poor children do not receive the same quality education as their more affluent peers, leading to limited opportunities and outcomes as they grow up.

Question 11

Public schools that are run by private entities are called

Accepted Answer

Charter schools are public schools that are run by private entities. They are publicly funded and free to attend, but they operate independently of the traditional public school system. Religious schools, homeschools, and secular schools are not necessarily run by private entities or considered public schools in the same way that charter schools are.

Question 12

What variable would account for the dramatic jump in test scores evidenced by the students in Rosenthal and Jacobson's Pygmalion in the Classroom?

Accepted Answer

The dramatic jump in test scores was attributed to the teacher's attitudes and expectations, which influenced the students' performance.

Question 13

Which of the following is an advantage cited by supporters of school vouchers?

Accepted Answer

Supporters of school vouchers argue that they give parents more choices in selecting a school for their children, potentially allowing them to find a school that is a better fit for their child's individual needs and learning style. This can lead to competition among schools and incentivize them to improve their offerings in order to attract students with vouchers.

Question 14

According to Randall Collins,why do members of lucrative professions like law and medicine support the current educational system?

Accepted Answer

Members of lucrative professions like law and medicine support the current educational system because it helps them keep the number of potential job applicants down, thus minimizing competition and ensuring that there is a large number of people for less lucrative, less pleasant professions. This helps maintain their status and income in society.

Question 15

How does the textbook define the "hidden curriculum"?

Accepted Answer

The textbook defines the "hidden curriculum" as lessons that students learn indirectly through the method in which the curriculum is presented and the way the school is organized. Option A refers to an ethical ideal, option B refers to grade inflation, and option C refers to elective topics.

Question 16

What does sociologist Randall Collins argue is the true function of schools?

Accepted Answer

Randall Collins argues that schools primarily function to reproduce the class structure, ensuring that individuals maintain a socioeconomic status similar to their parents, rather than primarily focusing on skills training or intellectual engagement.

Question 17

According to the textbook,what is the goal of early college high schools?

Accepted Answer

According to the textbook, the goal of early college high schools is to make it easier for students from underserved backgrounds to enter college. These schools offer a rigorous academic program that allows students to earn college credit while still in high school, helping them to transition smoothly into higher education. This is aimed at reducing the barriers that many first-generation and low-income students face when it comes to accessing college. A and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the actual goals of early college high schools, and B is only partially correct, as it focuses solely on the economic benefits of having a more skilled workforce but does not address the broader goal of promoting educational equity.

Question 18

In Schooling in Capitalist America,Samuel Bowles and Herbert Gintis argued that schools train a labor force in the skills and attitudes necessary for the health of a modern economy.What are these skills and attitudes?

Accepted Answer

Bowles and Gintis argued that schools train students to become obedient workers by emphasizing conformity, punctuality, and the ability to take orders and perform repetitive tasks. These skills are seen as necessary for the health of a modern economy that relies on a disciplined, docile workforce. While the other options may be important skills for certain types of jobs or industries, they are not the skills and attitudes emphasized by the capitalist education system described by Bowles and Gintis.

Question 19

What does the sociologist Randall Collins recommend to reform the American educational system?

Accepted Answer

Randall Collins suggests that educational credentials should not be a requirement for employment, as this would reduce the emphasis on formal education and potentially lead to a more equitable job market.

Question 20

What was Jonathan Kozol's impression of the poorly funded schools he visited in urban Chicago?

Accepted Answer

Kozol's impression of the poorly funded schools he visited in urban Chicago was that they were extraordinarily unhappy places. He observed that the students and teachers were living in an oppressive and demoralizing environment where there was a lack of basic resources and facilities like textbooks, computers, and adequate heating.

Quiz 10: Social Institutions: Politics,Education,and Religion