Can Schools Help Working-Class Students Access University?

Abstract

This paper analyses the complex relationship between social classes, scholastic stratification and educational choices in Italy, paying due attention to the role teachers may play in enhancing working-class students’ chances to attend university. Our findings show on the one hand how the Italian educational system contributes to reproducing social inequalities, on the other hand how individuals can challenge the system, by reversing the abovementioned negative trend. In fact, working-class students are encouraged to go on to university, when they encounter teachers who inspire them through a positive relationship, good expertise and interesting lessons. In such instances, teachers can become “transformative intellectuals” who contribute to change students’ social dispositions towards education.

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Vatrella S., Parziale F. (2018) "Can Schools Help Working-Class Students Access University? " Italian Journal of Sociology of Education, 10(3), 245-268. DOI: 10.14658/PUPJ-IJSE-2018-3-12  
Year of Publication
2018
Journal
Italian Journal of Sociology of Education
Volume
10
Issue Number
3
Start Page
245
Last Page
268
Date Published
11/2018
ISSN Number
2035-4983
Serial Article Number
12
DOI
10.14658/PUPJ-IJSE-2018-3-12
Issue
Section
Articles