Written by Maia Cucchiara (Temple University) as part of A Sociology Experiment. To read this chapter, add it to your cart, complete the checkout process, return to this page, and select “Read Now” to open the Bookshelf reader.

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to: explain the relationship between schools and society; examine the role of schools on reflecting and reproducing inequality; analyze how existing inequalities affect students’ educational achievement; discuss the implications of socialization and tracking mechanisms in schools; and assess the impact of education policy on improving schools and increasing opportunities.