Way Schools Work : A Sociological Analysis of Education

This text continues to offer cutting-edge analysis of contemporary schooling in America from a critical perspective. Provides up-to-the-minute critical analysis of the way schools really work that takes into account both historical influences and current critical theory. Includes extensive coverage of race, class, and gender and their roles in relation to power dynamics in today classrooms. Wide ranging content draws on social theory as well as the sociology of organizations, of work and the professions, and of knowledge. Includes new short case studies of students' experiences, and chapter questions and illustrative boxes containing accounts from students, teachers and administrators.

Features

• Movement of feminist theory to the first chapter shows the connection between gender and other social transformation theories.
• Enhanced material on race and ethnicity. (Ch. 7)
• Revised and enriched coverage of reform and restructuring movements changing the shape of schools today.
• Short case studies about students who have had interesting experiences in school, related to their gender and socioeconomic status. These case studies bring the theories of the chapter to life and help students identify with other students around the country.
• Addition of timely issues such as habitus, trajectory, affirmative action, school finance, school violence, and sexual orientation. (Ch. 8)
• Enhanced coverage on sexist language, sexual harassment, and sexual orientation. (Ch. 8)
• Illustrative boxes and chapter questions.
• Strong historical bent in both the information presented and the way developments in theory have affected how we view and interpret the impact of schools.
• Classical and contemporary critical perspectives in each chapter.
• Encourages students to examine sociocultural and political issues relative to schooling, and to draw their own conclusions through critical evaluation.
• Focus upon established theoretical models and analyses, especially functionalism and conflict theory.

1. Theory and its Influences on the Purposes of Schooling.
2. The Social Organization of Schooling.
3. Youth Culture and the Student Peer Group.
4. The Labor Force in Education : Teachers, Counselors, Administrators, and Ancillary Staff.
5. Social Class and its Relationship to Education.
6. What is Taught in Schools : Curriculum and the Stratification of Knowledge.
7. Ethnic Minorities : Equality of Educational Opportunity.
8. Gender Equity in Schooling.

Appendix : Do's and Dont's for Non-Sexist Language.