Social Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work - 1161 Words

This country’s education system was built on the back of meritocracy and was created to function as an objective measure of a child’s performance and their intelligence. It was the gateway to the American Dream, and provided everyone with an equal chance of success in America. It was a place of not only intellectual, but also personal growth. In her essay â€Å"From Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work,† Anyon argues that this is no longer the case. Anyon’s study concludes that from the fifth grade, students in poorer communities are groomed to succeed in low-class, blue collar jobs, while children in wealthy communities are prepared for more desirable careers. Anyon analyzes four different types of schools that all varied based on†¦show more content†¦She goes on to explain how she will attempt to investigate the issue. Anyon’s use of credible background information within her thesis paragraph demonstrates a successful use of log os as she takes her audience on a tour of her thought process and how she came to investigate this issue. She continues on to warn her audience that her article â€Å"offers tentative empirical support (and qualification) of the above argument by providing illustrative examples of differences in student work in classrooms† (Anyon 138). In comparison to Kendall’s opening paragraph, Anyon clarifies that her study offers â€Å"tentative empirical support,† and does not make any outlandish leaps or conclusions. While Kendall chooses to draw her audience in by utilizing pathos, Anyon relies on logos and her well-conducted study to strengthen her ethos. Similar to Kendall, Anyon attempts to prove that meritocracy is no longer at work in America’s public education system. In schools where â€Å"the majority of the fathers are in unskilled or semiskilled jobs† like â€Å"platform, storeroom and stockroom workers,† the â€Å"work is following the st eps of a procedure† (Anyon 140). Anyon points out this coincidence, but does not validate it. She simply describes how the procedures are â€Å"usually mechanical, involving rote behavior and very little decision making or choice,† almost like working in a factory. In fact, she states that the work is â€Å"evaluated not according to whether it is right or wrong but according to whether theShow MoreRelatedSocial Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work960 Words   |  4 Pagesdifferent social-class. In the article â€Å"Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work† Jean Anyon states, â€Å"In the two working-class schools, work is following the steps of a procedure. The teacher rarely explains why the work is being assigned and how it might connect to other assignments† (2). Students are not taught to think for themselves. They are taught to follow their parent’s footsteps into the work force as very low skilled workers. Compared to the students in the capitalist class where theyRead MoreSocial Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work By Jean Anyon1447 Words   |  6 PagesIn the article â€Å"From Social Class to the Hidden Curriculum of Work,† written by Jean Anyon, he argues that the working-class and affluent communities both receive a learning-based education, the working-class lacks the fundamentals. Supporting this claim is Diane Ravitch in â€Å"The Essentials of a Good education† stating affluent communities provide classes beyond the essentials, including extra-curricular classes and activities with well-equipped material for their children to obtain. ContrastivelyRead MoreSocial Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work By Jean Anyon1247 Words   |  5 PagesIn the article â€Å"Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work† by Jean Anyon. She argues that there is a serious gap in quality and level of education in the public school system. The gap widens as you progress up from working class to middle class and on through affluent professional to executive elite. Based on her research I would have to agree with her. Anyons research revealed that the working class students are not given the same opportunities to learn as students in the other classes. WhetherRead MoreJean Anyon s Social Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work1245 Words   |  5 PagesJean Anyon’s â€Å"Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work† What does social class mean? Social class means a division of a society based on social and economic status. Now, what does hidden curriculum mean? Hidden Curriculum means a side effect of education, such as norms, values and beliefs in the classroom. Accordingly, Jean Anyon’s, author of â€Å"Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work† claims that each and every social class has it’s own very different way of teaching in schools. AnyonRead MoreAnalysis Of Jean Anyons Social Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work1369 Words   |  6 PagesSocial class is based on the relationship one has to the elements of society, and as children in the American education system grow and develop, it is a plausible query that these education systems might be the starting point to where social class based relationships such as people, ownership, and productive activity are fostered. In social activist and American professor Jean Anyon’s essay â€Å"Social Class and t he Hidden Curriculum of Work†, the relation to social class and the established cycle ofRead MoreAnalysis Of Social Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work By Jean Anyon1167 Words   |  5 PagesA Specific Social Classes Jean Ayon is a professor of educational policy, an American critical thinker, and a researcher in education. She works on race and class in urban education and is a social activist. In her article â€Å"Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work† she uses research from elementary schools that contrast in social class to try and understand if social class is the dictating factor that decides the future careers of children. Anyon examines the role of social class in educationRead More Social Class and Quality of Education Essay1197 Words   |  5 PagesOne of the concerns regarding social justice in education is that there are marginalised groups within society do not having equal access to the learning and life opportunities that they deserve. The concept of social justice stresses that every individual within society is entitled to have equal rights and opportunities. This means that an individual from a lower class background deserves the same opportunities as a person f rom a wealthier background. It is about becoming aware and recognising thatRead MoreClass And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work987 Words   |  4 PagesIn the article â€Å"Class in America,† Gregory Mantsios identifies the social classes in America as well as the growing gaps between them. He explains how people who are born in already wealthy families are well educated and take advantage of opportunities. He claims that people in the lower class are not given a chance to succeed and it is even more difficult for the minorities. Mantsios’ article relates well to Anyon’s â€Å"Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work.† Anyon attempts to find evidenceRead MoreEducation, Change, and Society1305 Words   |  6 PagesEDUCATION, CHANGE AND SOCIETY ASSIGNMENT 2 – ESSAY Success, achievement and participation at school are not simply a matter of intelligence or ability. Discuss this statement with reference to the concepts of cultural capital, hidden curriculum, class and socioeconomic status. Since the beginning of education there have been many forms, which have been passed on from one generation to the next. Over the years education has evolved and is now seen as the education system all over the world. Read MoreThe Problem Of Poverty Stricken Schools1257 Words   |  6 Pagesbook as â€Å"the process through which academic, social and cultural ideas and tools, both general and specific, are developed† (Conley 497). In America children and young adults get an education through schools, either public or private. The focus of this paper will be on the public school system, but mainly the lower class public schools. Many problems with schools can be traced back to social concepts such as social values and norms. The hidden curriculum being taught in schools plays a part as well