Educational policy analysis
Introduction
Sociological theory is a presumption that aims at analyzing and explaining objects of social reality in a sociological perspective through correlations of individual concepts to substantiate and organize sociological knowledge (Sociological Theory: SAGE Journals. SAGE Journals, 2020). The sociological theory that best suites the American education policy is Functionalism theory. Functionalism theory perceives society as a system with interconnected segments structured to attain the social and biological requirements of people in a particular community. There exist similarities between the human body and society. The way several parts of human body cooperate, enabling proper functioning of the body, so as the community has several segments that work together for the operation of society (You_May_Ask_Yourself_5e_Dalton_Conley.pdf. Google Docs, 2020).
The society segments referred to are the behaviors that meet social essentials, beliefs and social institutions which include education, government, religion, family, economy and the healthcare (Reading: Functionalism and Society | Sociology. Courses.lumenlearning.com, 2020). In studying society, individuals must go beyond social facts like customs, rituals, morals, religious beliefs and laws that all are concerned in managing a social life. The society social facts perform more than one functions. For instance, the society laws are formulated to prevent violence in the society, the rules also are used to discipline criminal behaviors and lastly, the laws are used in the preservation of public health in society (Functionalism and Systemism. Baripedia.org, 2020).
The United States education policy is underlying principles and plans used in guiding education system. The United States education policy goals have changed with culture and society. Some of the education goals include preparation of children for citizenship, nurture competent workforce, cultural literacy learning, trim children for colleges, assist children in emulating critical thinking and helping them compete relevantly in the global marketplace. The current United States education policy focuses on the two prominent issues that are academic performance and the school choice(Education policy in the United States – Ballotpedia. Ballotpedia, 2020).
The functionalists see education as an essential social institution in the society which supports two types of functions. The first and foremost is manifest functions that are planned and visible while the second is latent functions that are not intended and concealed functions of education. United States education is associated with several manifest functions that shape the education system. First and foremost,socialization, this is where students through different levels are taught to emulate a variety of societal responsibilities. Functionalists views schools as socialization tools that impart children with skills that will enable them to connect and mould students to participate in adult economic responsibilities. The socialization process encompasses teaching norms and rules of the society to children (Introduction to Sociology 2e, Education, Theoretical Perspectives on Education. OER Commons, 2020). Currently, the United States culture has evolved and is diverse; thus, students are expected to learn different cultural norms and not focus on domineering culture. The United States education system transmits the nation’s core values by use of manifest functions such as social control through the teaching of law conformity and the respect of authority in schools. The United States education system provide approaches that are used for upward social mobility by people. Therefore, graduate schools and colleges are seen as tools to move students near their careers which will ensure security financial relieve. Students are encouraged to study fields which will be necessary on the social ladder.
The United States education system also accomplishes latent functions. The education system presents students on social networks which may last long for years that help them in finding job opportunities after they have completed their schooling through use of social networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook(You_May_Ask_Yourself_5e_Dalton_Conley.pdf. Google Docs, 2020). Another latent function is the courtship which is attained through the exposure of students to a peer group in the educational setting. The education system, particularly in graduate schools, has enabled students to learn several social issues. Students have an opportunity to advocating politically and socially in changing the country political climate.
Functionalists identify ways schools use to enculturate and educate students. One of the values students in the United States has learnt it is individualism, by valuing individuals more than the group or society value. The United States education system encourages student competition academically and in life as well as teaching patriotism to students. Functionalists also view schools as an instrument in analyzing and sorting students who have the potential to merit academically. Functionalists are also satisfied that the United States education system is taking over the roles that are undertaken by family. For instance, society depends on schools to educate children on human sexuality and vital skills like budgeting.
Policy-based suggestion
The policy-based recommendations to help improve educational equality and achievements include helping the underperforming children in academics by providing a tutor to each of them. In solving the income and class issues in schools, students should be offered breakfast and lunch in schools and lastly, provide opportunities by combining college preparatory academics with technical training and workplace experience.
First, the suggestion to help the underperforming children in academics by providing tutor to particular children is essential to ensure equality in education and success. The United States education system should considerably put up efficient tutoring models by the use of national services programs, virtual tutoring and volunteers. The research conducted in the United States in 2011 on the effects of tutoring the underperforming children shows that they improved significantly than those children who did not receive but with the same case(Amle.org, 2020).Thus, when the education system concentrates on improving the performance of the low-grade child, education equality will be achieved, and the outcome of the process is positive to the education section.
Second, solving the income and class issues in education, students should be offered breakfast and lunch in schools. About forty million Americans, with the inclusion of 13 million children are said to have inadequate food for consumption(Facts About Hunger and Poverty in America | Feeding America. Feedingamerica.org, 2020). The child who is hungry in most cases will be unhealthy suffering from health problems which automatically affects the learning and academic performance in school. The education system needs to come up with programs that will ensure the hungry child is no longer hungry in school. If the issue is dealt with, the education system will manage in ensuring there is education equality in schools.
Third, providing opportunities through combining college-preparatory academics with technical training and workplace experience. For the preparation of jobs that are dynamic, complex and rapidly globalizing the future, opportunities should be easily accessible to students through learning the way to apply their academics to a potential career. The programs that support student exposure, ensuring tangible results should be created and made available for the students. Through the development of programs that can create opportunities for students, they will be able to confront the rapidly changing world and ensure equality and great achievements in the education system.
References
Amle.org. (2020). Retrieved 6 June 2020, from https://www.amle.org/portals/0/pdf/rmle/rmle_vol34_no6.pdf.
Education policy in the United States – Ballotpedia. Ballotpedia. (2020). Retrieved 6 June 2020, from https://ballotpedia.org/Education_policy_in_the_United_States.
Functionalism, Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology. Sociologyguide.com. (2020). Retrieved 6 June 2020, from https://www.sociologyguide.com/theoretical-perspectives-in sociology/functionalism.php.
Functionalism and Systemism. Baripedia.org. (2020). Retrieved 6 June 2020, from https://baripedia.org/wiki/Functionalism_and_Systemism.
Facts About Hunger and Poverty in America | Feeding America. Feedingamerica.org. (2020). Retrieved 6 June 2020, from https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/facts.
Introduction to Sociology 2e, Education, Theoretical Perspectives on Education. OER Commons. (2020). Retrieved 6 June 2020, from https://www.oercommons.org/courseware/module/11823/overview.
Reading: Functionalism and Society | Sociology. Courses.lumenlearning.com. (2020). Retrieved 6 June 2020, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/reading theoretical-perspectives-on-society/.
Sociological Theory: SAGE Journals. SAGE Journals. (2020). Retrieved 6 June 2020, from https://journals.sagepub.com/home/stx.
You_May_Ask_Yourself_5e_Dalton_Conley.pdf. Google Docs. (2020). Retrieved 6 June 2020, from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1 WI5qyCLkUK3hmgzUfRbfu2PMnSFsO6u/view?usp=drive_web.