Issues: Who controls education?
 What is the goal of education?
 What should students be taught?
 In what language should students be taught?
 How should students be taught?
 How should teachers be trained?
 How should it be paid for?

PERSPECTIVES ON EDUCATION

FUNCTIONALIST contributions to societal survival:

 Cultural preservation
 Socialization and social placement
 Cultural expansion and innovation
 Social transformation and reform
 Custodial care

CONFLICT  further the interests of those who control the social structure

 Education as superstructure (dependent on the economic structure of society)
 Political education (citizenship)
 Education and stratification (places individuals in the stratification system of society)

U.S. EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

 1.  1 out of every 4 Americans is involved in education
 2.  U.S. spends 5.7% of GNP on education 12th in ranking compared to other industrial countries
 3.  democratization: open to all citizens regardless of social class or racial, ethnic, etc. affiliations
 4. decentralized - state and local control of education

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