Schools & Social Inequality: Crash Course Sociology

The video explores the drawbacks of the US educational system, focusing on how it reinforces social inequalities. It discusses the concept of meritocracy, highlighting that educational measures like grades and SAT scores don't consistently reflect students' talents. The video examines class and racial disparities in education, emphasizing the role of school funding and cultural capital. It also addresses the impact of discipline policies and standardized testing biases, which contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline and perpetuate social inequality.

What is one major drawback of the current school system mentioned in the introduction?

• Limited access to technology

• Overcrowded classrooms

• Early school start times

• Lack of extracurricular activities

How does the concept of meritocracy relate to education?

• It guarantees college admission

• It eliminates class differences

• It rewards hard work and talent

• It ensures equal resources for all students

What is a significant factor affecting educational attainment in the US?

• Teacher-student ratio

• Standardized testing

• Local school funding

• Uniform national curriculum

What did the study by Kirabo Jackson and colleagues find about school funding?

• It reduces the need for standardized tests

• It has no impact on student success

• It only benefits high-income students

• Increased funding leads to higher adult incomes

What is cultural capital?

• Financial resources for schools

• Valuable cultural knowledge and experience

• Government funding for education

• A type of standardized test

How does cultural capital affect educational outcomes?

• It gives an advantage to students with supportive home environments

• It ensures equal opportunities for all students

• It only benefits students in private schools

• It is irrelevant to student success

What is one way that racial disparities manifest in education?

• Standardized test exemptions

• Equal access to gifted programs

• Bias in teacher evaluations

• Uniform school funding

What is the 'school-to-prison pipeline'?

• A pathway to vocational training

• A scholarship for minority students

• A system that criminalizes minor school infractions

• A program for college preparation

How do standardized tests contribute to educational inequality?

• They provide equal opportunities for all students

• They often reflect the biases of the dominant group

• They are designed to be culturally neutral

• They are optional for most students

What is one consequence of tracking in schools?

• It eliminates the gender pay gap

• It ensures all students receive the same education

• It can limit opportunities for minority students

• It increases funding for schools