Browne and Foster's "Sociology of Education." AFT Research Notes. Number 6.

Overview & Synopsis

This paper reviews the book "Sociology of Education" (Browne and Foster, editors). The paper begins with the observation that the study of the sociology of education is an important part of teacher training, but is often forgotten after graduation in the first year of classroom experience. Problems which impede the incorporation of educational sociology into teacher preparation and development are sketched, after which the book is reviewed under the heading of: (1) effects of education; (2) the role of sociology of education; (3) limitations of conservative sociology; (4) status equality in the "old" sociology of education; (5) the transition from "old" to "new" sociology; (6) problems of the "new" sociology of education; (7) policy implications; (8) the need for a theory of education; (9) public and private schooling; and (10) sexism in education. The review also examines areas in this field which are not covered in the book. (CB)