Conflict Theorist Suggest Inequality

) Conflict theorist suggest inequality by the education system as a social class structure. Social division among the classes help the elites maintain dominance over lower class through hidden curriculum, unequal funding and IQ testing. Hidden curriculum refers to the attitude and unwritten rules of behavior that schools teach along with formal curriculum, such as obedience to authority, and conformity to mainstream norms. Examples of hidden curriculum include middle class students being taught proper English and good manners, because the teachers know where these students are headed. Compared to inner-city students who are allowed to use ethic and street language in the classroom, because they are headed for menial jobs, and only need
to learn to obey rules. IQ testing contain questions that are cultural bias, which allow children from some social backgrounds to outperform others. Also the test includes acquired knowledge, this portion of the test also hurts poor students, because of the hidden curriculum. Unequal funding is another way, that the elites continue to dominate. Public education is partly supported by property taxes, and in the wealthy communities with the higher salaries and property values. The elites can afford to pay teachers more in salary and pick highly qualified teachers. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the poorer communities.