Education in America

Provides an introduction to education in the U.S., from its origins to its contemporary manifestations. Focusing on social inequality, the author calls into question Horace Mann's famous proclamation that education is the "great equalizer" and examines how education stratifies students based on socioeconomic background, race, and gender. "Goyette provides a lucid, succinct, and valuable overview of the state of education. Recommended for teaching!"—Annette Lareau, author of Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race, and Family Life "This book fills a niche within course materials for undergraduates in sociology of education, and will be valuable to instructors teaching sociology of education and social inequality." —Susan A. Dumais, Associate Professor of Sociology, Lehman College, CUNY Education in America provides an essential, comprehensive introduction to education in the U.S., from its origins to its contemporary manifestations. Focusing on social inequality, Kimberly A. Goyette calls into question Horace Mann's famous proclamation that education is the "great equalizer" and examines how education stratifies students based on socioeconomic background, race, and gender. She identifies the 'hidden curriculum' beneath equations and grammar rules, from which students may learn what is expected of them based on their anticipated roles in society. Referencing school reforms such as No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, and Common Core, Goyette shows that education is not merely reflective of a society's views, but instrumental in shaping and changing society's structure.