Social Factors influencing education and schooling

Group 1Jessica Terpstra &

Tasha Buchler

Demographics

Education Level of education achieved Absenteeism and dropouts literacy

Economics Poverty, income, employment

Housing Crowding, ownership and

homelessness Food assistance Social Capital

Voter registration, vehicles, means of connection, health

Television changing society

“While books are based on abstract symbols and a linear and sequential structure that encourages logical thinking, television is image- and sound-based, concrete, visceral, sensual, holistic, emotional, nonlinear, simultaneous, and constantly in flux” (Meyrowitz, 1996, p.74).

Students are experiencing this imagery in their daily lives. It is what they have become accustomed to. As educators we should allow them to think through sound, emotion and other outlets.

A balance needs to be kept between multi-stimulating and formal education.

Family influence

A students dominant social factor is their family!

If parents do not value education and literacy students are likely not to. These parents lack involvement and inhibit student success.

Level of school achievement is likely to repeat.

“In more recent times, schools have been allocated the task of achieving social equality, overcoming material disadvantage and eradicating prejudice. ”

These three obligations require more of today’s teachers. Students come into a school with varying incomes and economic states. Many are dealing with outside pressures such as racial inequalities and peer acceptance. As teachers we must first deal with these inner struggles before our students can accept the knowledge we offer.