Schools and Society: A Sociological Approach to Education offers a comprehensive exploration of educational systems through a sociological lens. Edited by Jeanne H. Ballantine, with contributions from Joan Z. Spade and Jenny M. Stuber, this Sixth Edition is an essential resource for students, educators, and scholars interested in the complexities of education within societal contexts.

Spanning 528 pages, the book combines classical readings with contemporary essays to provide a well-rounded understanding of the sociology of education. Utilizing the open systems approach, it equips readers with frameworks to analyze various aspects of schooling, including theoretical perspectives, research methods, and current issues.

The Sixth Edition includes twenty new selections and revisions of original articles from notable scholars. It addresses contemporary challenges such as school funding disparities, gender dynamics in educational settings, parental and neighborhood impacts on learning, growing inequalities within schools, and the rise of charter schools. This edition not only updates but also deepens the reader’s insight into these critical topics.

As a proud sponsor of the 2020 SAGE Keith Roberts Teaching Innovations Award, this book supports the development of innovative teaching practices among graduate students and early career faculty by enabling them to participate in the annual ASA pre-conference teaching and learning workshop.