Stratification in Education
It should be intent of the US education system for all students, despite their background, to have an equal opportunity to attain a higher education. However, it is questionable of whether or not this goal holds true. The US has implemented grant programs, GI Bill, tax credits and other financial aid opportunities for students to have the necessary resources to attend college, however many barriers still exists for many socioeconomically disadvantaged students (Bastedo & Gumport, 2003). Some theorists such as, Bowles and Gintis, believe that the US education system is meant to further stratify students therefore validating and maintaining the social hierarchy that already exists. In other words keeping the dominant class in power (Bowles & Ginitis, 1976). For example, current research has shown that only 50 % of public schools offer Advanced Placement courses to students. Further research shows, as previously stated, that 28 percent of students at the public schools who offer AP classes have taken at least one AP course (Royster, Gross, Hochbein, 2015). Opportunities are being withheld from many students, as they are not even being offered to take AP classes. Being that AP courses are one of the strongest indicators of college success students that come from low income school systems, which are less likely to offer the courses, are further put at a disadvantage when compared to their white peers that come from more affluent backgrounds. The cycle maintains the social hierarchy that is in place by removing the chance of social mobility through higher education away from the economically disadvantaged student.
