After reading Chapter 16, you should be able to:
- Identify and discuss the characteristics of the American education system that predisposes it toward conservatism.
- Discuss the issues and problems related to local control of school systems.
- Discuss the competitive nature of the educational system and the consequences of that orientation to the larger social system.
- Understand the role of schools in the structuring of inequality and the perpetuation of social class differences.
- Explain "tracking" in the school system and discuss how it is related to the reproduction of social class inequalities.
- Compare and contrast the order and conflict perspectives treatment of education.
- Explain the changes that are taking place in the education system and the influence those changes are likely to have on the current student population and their futures in the economy.
