THE SOCIAL-STRUCTURE OF SCHOOLING

The term social structure refers to a relatively enduring pattern of s ocial arrangements or interrelations within a particular society, orga nization, or group. This chapter reviews how the social structure of t he larger society and the organizational structure of schools affect t he educational process within American schools. The institutional cont ext of schooling is first discussed. The ideology of mass education, s ocial stratification, status attainment, credentialism, and the emphas is on ability differences are considered. The focus then shifts to the organizational structure of schools, beginning with a discussion of t he external social context for school organization. Attention is given to professionalism and bureaucracy, institutional forms of organizati on, decentralized control, and community influences. Finally, the inte rnal structure of school organization is considered: teachers' working conditions, status differences among students, and curriculum trackin g. Throughout, the emphasis is on ways in which social structure influ ences what is taught in school, how it is taught, and what is learned.