The Eq uality Question: Uncertainties in Educational Thought and Democratic Idealism

Abstract

Schools have come 10 be acknowledged as escape-valves for those wishing to overcome the social and economic circumstances of their birth. From the beginnings of public education in Canada and the United States, educational promoters saw schooling as a way of providing social justice and economic stability as well as means of instruction in literacy and computation. Recent educational policy in Canada and the United States assumes equality of access results in equal opportunity. Since sociological findings offer li 11le support for the notion at schooling causes equality. The educational assumption of Canada and the United States is highly arguable. Unfortunately, the schools cannot ensure equality of outcome. Despite a public policy which has opened access to educational institutions. The distribution of social wealth has changed little.