theorists, and they are also the main beneficiaries of these 15). designs” (Brint, 1998, p. Today’s rigid and unyielding school structure prepares children for the workforce, identifying those that will fill prestigious career positions, and those that will continue to be underprivileged. Brint (1998) the United States, the large business corporations provided the decisive declares, “In models for the of schooling that became popular during the Progressive Era - a ‘one best system’ system based on standardized school districts, strict hierarchies of authority, age-graded classrooms, and regular testing for (p. 15). Essentially, the wealthy and performance evaluation” most powerful group prepares youth for an economically rigid social system; one that will continue to preserve their prosperous enterprises. Conflict theorists investigate methods used by diverse groups to transform education to meet their values. For instance, despite widespread disapproval of educators, parents and students, annual standardized testing has been used by government as the sole indicator of a ability to meet specific standards. Media and politicians label schools with failing scores school’s on national and statewide tests as not meeting high academic standards. results are posted “Test in local newspapers and readers know that school budgets and even property values hinge on the (Mondale & Patton, 2001, p. 210) Governments have used this data to promote private results” schools, often funded and operated by large corporations looking for a profit. The voucher system stemming from assumptions based on testing, causes competition amongst schools by allowing parents the choice to send their children to a school outside their district, thereby threatening the survival of some public schools. John Golle of Education Alternative, Inc, a company explains, to improve public education? The way to do it is compete “You want with them. Allow them the chance to compete with private enterprise and (Mondale vice versa” & Patton, 2001, p. 187). However, voucher programs threaten the survival of some public
theorists, and they are also the main beneficiaries of these designs” (Brint, 1998, p. 15). Today’s rigid and unyielding school structure prepares children for the workforce, identifying those that will fill prestigious career positions, and those that will continue to be underprivileged. Brint (1998) declares, “In the United States, the large business corporations provided the decisive models for the ‘one best system’ of schooling that became popular during the Progressive Era - a system based on standardized school districts, strict hierarchies of authority, age-graded classrooms, and regular testing for performance evaluation” (p. 15). Essentially, the wealthy and most powerful group prepares youth for an economically rigid social system; one that will continue to preserve their prosperous enterprises. Conflict theorists investigate methods used by diverse groups to transform education to meet their values. For instance, despite widespread disapproval of educators, parents and students, annual standardized testing has been used by government as the sole indicator of a school’s ability to meet specific standards. Media and politicians label schools with failing scores on national and statewide tests as not meeting high academic standards. “Test results are posted in local newspapers and readers know that school budgets and even property values hinge on the results” (Mondale & Patton, 2001, p. 210) Governments have used this data to promote private schools, often funded and operated by large corporations looking for a profit. The voucher system stemming from assumptions based on testing, causes competition amongst schools by allowing parents the choice to send their children to a school outside their district, thereby threatening the survival of some public schools. John Golle of Education Alternative, Inc, a company explains, “You want to improve public education? The way to do it is compete with them. Allow them the chance to compete with private enterprise and vice versa” (Mondale & Patton, 2001, p. 187). However, voucher programs threaten the survival of some public
508jilotTheory_Reflection_Paper.docx