Cultural Hegemony

   Hidden Curriculum and the role of schools in Cultural Hegemony have the same connotation when we think of the effects it has on students. The connection of hidden curriculum and cultural hegemony are the teaching of "life lessons" and "appropriate values". Hidden curriculum deals with the things we stress to students that are considered keys to a successful life such as preparedness, organization, timeliness, & obeying rules; while cultural hegemony is seen to socialize students to the dominate values of society. A key value emphasized in both concepts would be the need for students to obey authority figures and rules/laws.

  Cultural hegemony effects the public school classroom by the ever changing beliefs and views of society. The stated curriculum, textbooks, and teacher delivery of the curriculum  are all connected to what is prominent and valued in society. The proof of this fact is evident in any American History class. Current trends call for a very patriotic belief among students due to the attacks of 9/11 and the current war in Iraq. We, as educators push and encourage our students to believe the war is valuable and necessary to ensure our current way of life. The belief of many in society is that schools do not foster free thinking and individuality, but insist that student's conform and obey all rules and
regulations of the school and society.

 By understanding cultural pluralism and assimilation, it is understandable why public education ranks very low in the minds of many people. Pluralism stands for the current concept of "The American Way" and assimilation of the poor, challenged, or misunderstood, my view of education is tainted. We have a certain belief that students that are at risk, low socio-economics, Special Education, ELL, or any other variety of different are incapable of success. Much like the treatment of women, African Americans, and Native Americans in the earlier times of our society. I tend to believe that education is fair and just, but I see each day that students with any type of difference or challenge are not well accepted in schools, because they have yet to assimilate to the process and require more effort of the staff to keep current rules in tact.

 Education for its own sake versus education for particular roles in society is a debate that will continue beyond today's educational realm. Vocational education is re-evolving in our schools; when it disappeared a decade ago. I believe the current look of American students and their ability to perform in College will push us back to education to determine one's role in society. The thought of moving back to this style of education is very frightening to me. I believe education will be too quick to judge what student deserves an education and which ones do not. I feel the same bias beliefs will creep back to the forefront of our beliefs and implementation of education in our society