What is Life In Schools Like?

School as an Agent of Socialization

• Formal or explicit curriculum

• Informal, implicit, or hidden curriculum

• Culture--each school has its own culture. This culture is a set of beliefs, values, traditions, and ways of thinking and behaving that distinguishes it from other social institutions and from other schools.

The Teacher’s Roles

• Gatekeeper• Dispenser of supplies• Grantor of special

privileges• Timekeeper

What students experience

• Delay--”hurry up and wait”

• Waiting• Denial of desire• Interruptions• Social distraction

Organizational variables

• Ability grouping• Retention or passing• Inclusion of students

with disabilities• Teacher-or student-

centered instruction• Expository vs,

constructivist

Grouping patterns

• Or, what to do with seventh graders?

• Extended elementary schools, 1-8 or K-8

• Middle schools--4-8, 5-8. 6-8. 7 & 8?

• Junior high schools--6-9, 7-9, 8 & 9?

• Middle school research would definitely keep the 9th graders out of middle school

Emphasis of licensure

• High school tends to be subject-centered

• Middle school is more student centered

Multiple-purpose high schools

• Academic tracks stress traditional subjects such as English, mathematics, science, and foreign languages as preparation for college

• General tracks allow more electives and usually less stressful core courses

• Vocational tracks usually try to include curricula that are immediately practical

The Call for High School Reform

• Personalization

• Coherence--integrated subject fields instead of separate

• Time--block scheduling rather than 50-minute Carnegie units

• Technology

Peer cultures

• Jocks--those who eagerly embrace the framework and structure of the school

• Burnouts--accept the need for graduation, but distance themselves from the relationship of the high school

• Druggies

• Nerds/geeks/dweebs/dorks

Influences on Student Achievement

• 40 percent are just going through the motions of schooling

• One in six hides abilities because of what others might think

• 40 percent of parents never attended school function

• 2/3rds of students worked, half spending 15 hours or more on the job

• 20 to 25 hours per week with friends

• 70 % spend less than 5 hours per week on homework

Teacher expectations

School life may seem like chaos

But it does have organization and pattern