EDU 106 School and Society

The course explores major concepts and principles regarding the historical and contemporary purposes, roles and functions of formal education in United States society.  We will examine three primary areas: the social and cultural conditions of K-12 schooling, especially as it relates to equality of school environments, civil rights in schools, social and economic inequality, federal legislation, and standardized testing; the role of educators in ensuring that classrooms provide a safe, inclusive learning environment with high standards for all students, regardless of background and life experience; and the context, structure, and history of public education in California and how it affects and influences state, district, and school governance as well as state and local education finance. (Often cross-listed with EDU 206)