The difference in curriculum

Joshua Rawls

Professor Young

ENGL 1100

September 24, 2015

The Difference in Curriculum

            What is the difference between the wealthy and the underprivileged? Financial Stability is the only valid difference between the wealthy and the underprivileged. So why is everyone simply wealthy since theoretically there is only one difference between both parties. Does it have to do with where one is born or where one is taught? 

Personally I believe it depends where the way you were taught to be. Now I am not saying that people are rich because they are taught to be rich I am saying that education differs for specific social classes. In Jean Anyon’s article, “Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work,” she researches and believes that there are different instructions that teachers have within specific social classes. Though this research was conducted in 1980, I agree with what she believes for several reasons. For one, I have experiences almost every type of education from lower class to upper class and I for one truly believe in the idea that the curriculum varies based on social class. For example, as a 7^th grader I attended a Private School called Hawthorne Christian Academy. While attending, teachers motivated and pushed the students to develop creative minds and innovative behavior. However, the next year I attended my public school named Janis Dismus Middle School. While attending, teachers expected the students to simply follow the teacher and not go further than what they teach. 

As time progressed, my teachers realized I was too advanced for their curriculum so they had to enroll me in the highest of honors because of my previous education. Still, my mind was too use to being creative and imaginative which still conflicted with the way my teachers taught me. I was too different like a zebra amongst horses. I definitely believe that her research is still relevant in society today.

            Although I do agree, Jean Anyon’s research did not consider many things. For one it did not consider the whole world nor did it even leave the boundaries of New Jersey where the research was conducted. This means that a research that is applied to the World was conducted in one place, which is unfair. Another unfair thing is that because some students are educated in lower class schools does not affect how they will work and think when they get out of school. Not everyone can receive the same education even though it would be nice. However, it wouldn’t be a good thing because social class and balance is needed in society. There needs to be construction workers and accountants. There needs to be entrepreneurs and engineers because if everyone was an engineer who would balance finances and who would make restaurants? 

The difference in curriculum is a good thing that exists because it allows balance and balance is what makes everything the way it should be and the way it's going to stay.