Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work

Essay by ccpwriterCollege, UndergraduateA+, March 2004

download word file, 1 pages 3.0 2 reviews

Speaking from my own personal experiences I would have to agree with researcher Jean Anyon's views on the correlations between social class and education. i attended an elementary school in North Philadelphia with children from mostly low income families. I attended secondary school in an affluent upper middle class community. There is definately a difference in the educational buudgets of these different schools which in my opinion adds to the discrepancy in education and curriculum.

In more affluent schools, monetary resources are much more readily at hand, through donation and fundraising in a more economically stable community. In these schools there is an emphasis on college preparation, rather than vacational training. In the inner city, unfortunately, expectations are lower for students. Right now, many schools in Philadelphia don't even have enough books for each student.

Although the differences in education within the social classes may seem unfair, and discriminatory, you have to see it from a different perspective.

IN reality more students from higher social/ economic classas will go on to higher education;and more students from lower social classes will seek vocational careers. There are many more options now in 2004, than when Jean Anyon wrote her article in 1980 on "hidden curriculum " in schools. There are religion based school, private academies, and specialized charter school appearing everywhere. Every guardian and student should research decide what they want from their education, and choose a school accordingly.