American Education System Essay

The opponents of functionalist theory, the revisionists, argue that functionalism reflects the views of the powerful, the education system tends to work for them, and there is nothing to be criticized. For decades, American educational system has been pictured having the public school system as the institution responsible for the democratization of American society. However, there is a misunderstanding of equality, which has been greatly highlighted in public education. Colin Greer in his study “Great School Legend” argues that American educational system has served “to maintain and legitimize the unequal, hierarchical class structure of American society – in which the racial minorities occupy the bottom rungs.” (Suzuki, 1977, p. 117) Another published study, Schooling in Capitalist America by Bowels and Gintis (2002), challenge
(Suzuki, 1977, p. 118) Some serious attempts were done to correct the conflicts that have occurred in the schools and to equalize educational resources and opportunities, but the public schools still do not meet the desirable requirements. While the private schools are focused on multidimensional education, the public schools are mostly English/Math – centered. Engineering, arts, and project-based learning are the casualties of the math/ reading testing culture. Multidimensional education for every child – not only for wealthy ones – would be a great change. It will provoke bravery in young people and help them realize that they have the opportunity to confront the status quo.
Relative Functionalism
The above discussed conflict theory raises some questions regarding “model minority” thesis. How can be explained the fact that they are one of the highly educated minority groups in the USA? The answer holds that Asian American culture is focused on academic