Talking Points #8

Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work~Jean Anyon

Jean Anyon argues that the schools in wealthy communities are better than those in poor communities, or that they better prepare their students for desirable jobs.
" The first two schools I will call working class schools. Most of the parents have blue-collar jobs... The incomes of the majority of the families in these schools are at or below $12,000."
In these schools supplies are limited. Students have to copy information about topics they are learning from the board. The teachers just show the students how to accomplish tasks and just show them over and over and say they need more practice. I see this in many schools. How the lower-class schools are more rundown and have older edition of books and have books from other schools. They often borrow supplies from other schools or share supplies throughout the whole school.
"The third school is called the middle class school,...Parents occupations can be divided into three groups: a small group of blue collar workers, white colloar workers, and personnel directors in local firms... Income is between $13,000 and $25,000"
In the middle-class schools work is getting the right answer. Instead of students copying answers from the teacher off the board students are to think for themselves and come up with their own answers. I feel this is because students in the middle-class are viewed as smarter than ones in the lower-class. Students are given decisions and multiple ways of completing a problem. Most lessons are based in the textbook and classes usually have their own textbooks either new or in good condition.
"The fourth school is called the affluent professional school. Typical jobs are: cardiologists, interior designers, lawyers, engineers, or advertising in television. Most family incomes are between $40,000 and $80,000."
Students in these classrooms work mostly independently. They express and apply their own thoughts and ideas. These schools have new textbooks every few years and every student has their own issued textbook given to them in the beginning of the year. These schools have endless amounts of supplies. They are 'smarter' so they get more, they need to be educated in order to be successful.