Sociology in education is critical in explaining the disparities that affect learning and career development among students. From a broader perspective, sociology deals with understanding the social life, change, causes, and implications of human behavior. In the article “Social class and the hidden curriculum of work,” Anyon (1980) reveals that different school levels have hidden curriculum to prepare students for life after school, all guided by their social class. While there are significant differences in resource allocation and teaching experience among different schools, social class plays a practical role in teaching behavior. For instance, Anyon (1980) highlights that students are taught how to make decisions and choices to arrive at the right answer in middle-class schools. At the same time, policies and practices set in these schools affect student behavior. Undoubtedly, these social differences and changes will impact how students perceive education and the life around them.
Apart from the curriculum, education policies also impact student behaviors and social norms. In her article “Understanding the School-to-Prison Pipeline," Cole (2020) acknowledges that the introduction of zero-tolerance policies and school resource officers (SROs) has significantly increased the number of students suspended and expelled from school, the majority of whom are Blacks. Arguably, with recent incidents of school shootings, social disparities and inequalities have marred topics surrounding juvenile delinquency. Both Cole and Anyon agree on the disparities in schools due to social differences, with students from low-class families at a disadvantage. The coronavirus pandemic that shut down school learning has demonstrated how social change and class can have adverse implications for learning. A majority of friends were unable to access online classes, forcing them to suspend learning till further notice. Casey (2020) echoes similar sentiments, noting that school life exposes social inequalities, and those on the top of the social class benefit the most. Given the implications of social behavior in schools, students will continue to face rough times as they battle social injustices.
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References
Anyon, J. (1980). Social class and the hidden curriculum of work. Journal of Education , 162 (1), 67-92. https://doi.org/10.1177/002205748016200106
Casey, N. (2020). College made them feel equal. The virus exposed how unequal their lives are . The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/04/us/politics/coronavirus-zoom-college-classes.html
Cole, N. L. (2020). Understanding the School-to-Prison Pipeline . ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/school-to-prison-pipeline-4136170
