Understanding Social Inequalities in Education

The video explores the drawbacks of the US educational system, focusing on how it reinforces social inequalities. It discusses the concept of meritocracy, class and racial disparities, and the role of cultural capital. The video also examines the impact of school funding, standardized testing, and tracking on educational outcomes, highlighting how these factors disadvantage minority and low-income students.

What theory helps explain how the US educational system can reinforce social inequalities?

• Rational Choice Theory

• Functionalist Theory

• Social-Conflict Theory

• Symbolic Interactionism

How is school funding primarily determined in the US?

• Federal taxes

• State taxes

• Local property taxes

• Sales taxes

What is one reason wealthier students have an advantage in education?

• They have more siblings

• They live in better-funded school districts

• They attend school less frequently

• They have less homework

What is cultural capital?

• Financial wealth

• Valuable cultural knowledge and experience

• Political influence

• Physical capital

How does cultural capital affect educational outcomes?

• It decreases students' motivation

• It leads to more school absences

• It provides students with better vocabulary and literacy skills

• It has no effect

What is one structural disadvantage faced by minority students in education?

• Receiving more scholarships

• Access to more extracurricular activities

• Living in lower-income neighborhoods with underfunded schools

• Having more experienced teachers

What is tracking in the educational context?

• Assigning students to different educational programs based on ability

• Recording students' extracurricular activities

• Following students' progress after graduation

• Monitoring students' attendance

How can standardized tests contribute to educational inequality?

• They are not used in most schools

• They are designed to favor minority students

• They are always fair and unbiased

• They often reflect the cultural biases of the dominant group

What is the 'school to prison pipeline'?

• A scholarship program for minority students

• A system that criminalizes minor school infractions

• A program to help students transition to college

• A mentorship program for at-risk youth

How does tracking affect gender disparities in education?

• It has no impact on gender disparities

• It results in equal opportunities for all genders

• It leads to more women in math-heavy careers

• It contributes to fewer women pursuing math-heavy careers