Author Archives: Carolina Julian

Scientific management revolutionized the basic functioning of the workplace and especially the dynamics within the school system. Soon, the school environment became uncompromising and fully in control of elite school administrators. Even though there was a strong push for keeping “business” and “politics” out of the system, the scientific management revolution conferred all power on administrators. Such administrators were upper class professionals such as business men or politicians. In turn, school administrators were elected by a school board comprised of “civic elite”, who appointed school officials of similar business values and interests (p277). Clearly, the attempt to keep business and politics out of the system failed. This senseless trend of political convenience plagues the school system today. One major example is Mayor Bloomberg’s decision to appoint Cathie Black as Chancellor of NYC schools. Ms. Black is a prominent business woman with no experience in the education field and probably has little idea of the current effectiveness of the NYC school system since her children all go to private schools in Connecticut. Opinions vary regarding Bloomberg’s choice but there is a high probability that it was strictly a business decision. In reality, the school system is a highly political arena. Stratification and bureaucracy places some above others and the power of those on top greatly influences the system as a whole, including teachers and students. However, what would happen if power remained at one level? Is “making the government bigger” the better choice in the current educational and political mess?

As immigration increases, many believe that the school system should have a more important role in shaping the national identity. The covert threat of unwanted immigrants in American soil continues to stir anger and distrust and in an attempt to avoid any drastic change to the status quo schools become a weapon of assimilation and social equity. Early childhood schools, such as kindergartens, begin to take root in many parts of the country as a way to teach children of lower social economic status proper personal habits that will eventually be learned by their families. The home economics and American food movement had a similar agenda. By teaching housewives how to manage the home’s finances allows all families to have similar expenses but also appear to live similarly. Food,often a staple of any culture, was one main way to assimilate any foreigner. The idea of school cafeterias gave rise to the typical American school food, which inevitably paved the way for prepackaged foods and changing everyone’s diet to the “American” diet.

Being similar appears to be the key idea during these times. The system’s main concern is that everyone, especially immigrants, be assimilated into the ideal American way. What is interesting to note is that mostly all ideas were promulgated through the school system. Although it may seem hard to completely rid a person of their original foreign culture and traditions, children become “americanized” and drift away from their parent’s roots. In so doing, these children become part of the American way and as adults teach their own children. Although it appears to be a radical idea, its not very far fetched from today’s reality. What is difficult to answer is , however, should the U.S. be identified as one single national culture, or should it include a melting pot of identities?