What term describes the belief that schools are based on white middle-class values and may disadvantage working-class students?

What term describes the belief that schools are based on white middle-class values and may disadvantage working-class students?

• A. Cultural capital
• B. Ethnocentrism
• C. Self-fulfilling prophecy
• D. Deprivation theory

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is cultural capital. Schools tend to reward the tastes, language, behaviors, and knowledge that align with white middle-class culture. When students come from working-class backgrounds, they may not share these dispositions, which can put them at a disadvantage even if their ability is similar. Ethnocentrism is about judging other cultures by the standards of one’s own culture, which isn’t what explains how school norms can advantage one group over another. Self-fulfilling prophecy involves teachers’ or students’ expectations shaping outcomes, and deprivation theory focuses on material lack; both describe different mechanisms, whereas cultural capital captures how non-financial assets tied to class can influence school success.

The idea being tested is cultural capital. Schools tend to reward the tastes, language, behaviors, and knowledge that align with white middle-class culture. When students come from working-class backgrounds, they may not share these dispositions, which can put them at a disadvantage even if their ability is similar. Ethnocentrism is about judging other cultures by the standards of one’s own culture, which isn’t what explains how school norms can advantage one group over another. Self-fulfilling prophecy involves teachers’ or students’ expectations shaping outcomes, and deprivation theory focuses on material lack; both describe different mechanisms, whereas cultural capital captures how non-financial assets tied to class can influence school success.