Talking Points #8

Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work
Jean Anyon

Quotes:
1.  "Jean Anyon obsereved five elementary schools over the course of a fall school year and concluded that fifth-graders of different economic backgrounds are already being prepared to occupy particular rungs on the social ladder.  In a sense, some whole schools are on the vocational trach, while others are geared to produce future doctors. 

It is a crazy thought that by fifth grade, we already have begun to choose the path of the rest of our lives.  But I do remember always knowing that I would go to college after high school so I could get a job that I wanted.  I never even questioned any other options besides going to college.  In my house, it wasn't an option, it was where you would go after high school and that's exactly what I did.

2.  "...have argued that students in different social-class backgrounds are rewarded for classroom behaviors that correspond to personality traits allegedly rewarded in the different occupational strata-- the working classes for docility and obedience, the managerial classes for initiative and personal assertiveness."

Students are taught how to act from a young age based on demographics.  This is wrong.  They should be taught how to act based on good morals.  When they grow up, maybe in high school, when they have a better understanding of themselves, they should know what different professions look for. 

3.  "The teachers rarely ecplain why the work is being assigned, how it might connect to other assignments, or what the idea is that lies behind the procedure or gives it coherence and perhaps meaning or significance." 

This is exactly what teachers are doing wrong.  I feel as thought students will care and want to learn if they can relate to the material and know why it is important that they know what is being taught.  Relating materials to each other and to their own lives may help them care and have initiative to learn.