Markeith Jones
English 1100_35
November 8, 2015
Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work
Education based on Social Class
Are there differences in teachers' methods based on a student's social class? Does a school as a whole teach differently based on where the school is located? Jean Anyon observed several schools to find the answers. Anyon believed some schools were on a vocational education track, while others prepared children for much better futures. In her opinion based off research, Anyon believed that social class affected the way students were taught. Schools in poorer areas were said to have students less prepared for their future. They weren't given the proper help or work as the richer schools. That may apply to some but not in my case.
Growing up in Irvington, New Jersey, I would consider the education I received to be pretty good. Some teachers had different ways of doing things in the classroom. I had some teachers that gave assignments and went over the work with class. There were also teachers that individually went to students. Then there were some teachers that just handed out the assignment and told us to go over the directions ourselves. I would say my family would be working class. So Anyon's analysis of working class schools did not really apply. Our work was graded as right or wrong, and the notes we took were not steps or directions written on the board. When we asked, we were told why the assignment was given and the connection to future assignments. I was always pretty good in school and my grades were good enough to get me into one of the best schools in New Jersey; FDU.
I think Anyon's research is flawed. It was only observed in Elementary schools. If I could change one thing about this research, I would observe high schools, or even include middle schools. Her research did not consider older students. Preparing for the future don't stop at fifth grade. As far as the research Anyon obtained, I believe all students should be presented equal opportunities. It's not fair for richer kids to be set up to be doctors and lawyers, but working class schools don't try to do the same. There could be a future lawyer that never gets to realize their potential.
