Learning Objectives

  • Describe the role of education in the United States.
  • Discuss patterns of inequality in education.
  • Describe the history of the U.S. educational system and how it has affected different demographic groups.
  • Apply the functionalist, interactionist, and conflict perspectives to social policy for education.
  • Apply specialized theories to the social institution of education.
  • Evaluate explanations for educational inequality.
  • Describe recent reforms in education.
  • Identify steps toward social change in education.