Social Class And School Knowledge Summary

I read, Social Class and School Knowledge, by Jean Anyon, and it is safe to say I was amazed by the differences between schools in similar school districts because of the social class settings. I was the most shocked while reading the working-class section because of how the teachers viewed their roles in the schools. Many teachers in these schools don’t try too hard because it isn’t expected of them to get high achieving results anyways. This made my jaw drop because these teachers took this as an easy way out, even though they clearly have a four year degree from a university which most likely emphasized the importance of education and being a helping hand. It is just so sad because the students are asking for more, but their teachers are not providing it for them.

Here is where I questioned, do the teachers in these schools try to get to know their students? Do the teachers even enjoy going to work if they know they aren’t really doing anything? Do these teachers feel like they are doing enough to simply get by? Relating it to the other article from this week, Keeping Track: Structuring Equality and Inequality in an Era of Accountability, by Jeannie Oakes, children in lower social class are more likely to be seen as undeserving (Oakes, 711). With some tender love and care I’m sure these children could surprise the educators and the surrounding communities. At such a young age these students are already telling themselves they aren’t smart enough or they don’t have enough skills to go to college. We as educators must be the difference for these students and show them that we do care and help them have a future just as bright as the students from the Middle-Class schools, affluent schools, and executive elite