FUNCTIONS OF SCHOOLING:Cultural Innovation, School Tracking

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Introduction to Sociology SOC101

Lesson 33

FUNCTIONS OF SCHOOLING

Education is a social institution that is guiding the society's transmission of knowledge including basic facts, job skills,

and also cultural norms and values to its members. In industrial societies education is largely a matter of

schooling, formal instruction under the direction of specially trained teachers.

The extent of schooling in any society is closely tied to its level of economic development. Industrial, high-

income societies endorse the idea that everyone should go to school. Schooling in low-income nations is

very diverse because it reflects local culture. In low-income countries there is not much of it. About one half

of all elementary age children ever get to school, and perhaps only one half of them reach the secondary

grades.

Structural-functional analysis looks at how formal education contributes to the operation of society. The

important functions performed by schooling are:

Socialization

Technologically simple societies transmit their ways of life informally from parents to children. As societies

develop complex technology, kin can no longer stay abreast of rapidly expanding information and skills.

Thus schooling gradually emerges as a distinctive social institution employing specially trained personnel to

convey the knowledge needed for adult roles.

In primary school children learn basic language and mathematical skills.

Secondary school builds on this foundation, and for many, college allows further specialization.

Schools pass on society's core values from one generation to another. Schools are used for the inculcation

of its values values bout work, family, population, democracy, justice, and so on.

Schools explicitly instruct students in our political way of life. It may be called political socialization.

From the earliest grades, rituals such as saluting the flag and singing the national anthem foster patriotism.

Similarly classroom drills develop competitive individualism, respect for authority, and a sense of fair play.

Cultural Innovation

Education creates as well as transmits culture. Schools stimulate intellectual inquiry and critical thinking,

sparking the development of new ideas. At college and university the teachers are busy in research to

expand our knowledge in countless areas. Medical research conducted at major universities over the years

has increased our life expectancy, just as research by sociologists and psychologist helps us to take

advantage of our longevity.

Social Change

Not only the schools generate new knowledge, they are also the means for bringing social change.

Education may lead to dispelling the traditional attitudes and values. Education is likely to widen the

perspectives of the youth, make them `rational', willing to accept new ideas and carrying the message

forward.

Social Integration

Schooling helps forge a mass of people into a unified society. This integrative function is especially

important in nations with pronounced social diversity, where various cultures know little about or may

even be hostile to one another. A basic way schools integrate culturally diverse people is by teaching a

common language that encourages broad communication and builds a national identity.

Social Placement

Schools help in identifying and developing each student's aptitudes and abilities and then evaluating a

student's performance in terms of achievement rather than social background.

Teachers encourage the "best and the brightest" to pursue the most challenging and advanced studies, while

guiding students with more ordinary ability into educational programs suited to their talents. In this way

schooling enhances meritocracy by making personal merit a foundation of future social position.

Introduction to Sociology SOC101

Formal education helps people assume culturally approved statuses and perform roles that contribute to the

ongoing life of society. In this way the schools prepare the youth for making a living.

Perpetuating Inequality

Schools provide learning according students' background, thereby perpetuating inequality.

Schools also help continuing inequality between men and women i.e. more boys go to school than girls; girls

select different subjects than boys. Schools reinforce the cultural values of gender inequality.

School Tracking

Schools help the assignment of students to different types of educational programs. This is a usual practice

in most of the developed countries. Aptitude tests are given to students at grade 8, and with the help of

guidance and counseling, students are put on different streams. The official justification for tracking is to

give students the kind of learning that fits their abilities and motivation.

Research shows that social background has as much to do with tracking as personal aptitudes. Students

from affluent families generally do well on standardized "scientific" tests and are to better tracks while those

with modest backgrounds end up in programs that curb their aspirations and teach technical trades.

Tracking effectively segregates students academically and socially into different worlds.

Qualification Certification

Schools not only transmit the knowledge and skills to the youth, they are also the agencies that certify the

level of education achieved.

Other Latent Functions

Schools perform many latent functions. Schools have become vital for relieving single and dual earner

parents of some childcare responsibilities.

Schools help in establishing social networks

School help stabilize employment. Schools continue to hold on to the youth for a longer period a period,

which be utilized for the creation of job opportunities for the educated youth.

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