Thus, students are channeled into "appropriate- roles according to the status placed on them by the dominant culture. The values of the dominant culture are taught as desirable and "right- with any aversion to these values deemed as inappropriate and somehow deviant.
School children form important impressions about their own racial group, as well as others, through the exposure of a biased school system. In a society where many different cultures, values, and ideologies exist, many are denied an equal education so that the values of the dominant culture can be passed on to another generation. .
School materials, such as textbooks, are largely based on a Eurocentric view. Minorities are often excluded from U.S. history. When included, minorities are offered a stereotypical view of their position in society. Native Americans are described as "filthy,"" "murderers,"" and "savages;- Chicanos are presented as lawbreakers and bandits; African-Americans are usually shown in low status roles, neglecting their many contributions (Farley, 2000, p.389). .
In addition to being ignored or misrepresented in history, minority students, many who are financially wanting, are subjected to the capitalistic values of society through the presentation of lessons in arithmetic textbooks. Most examples reflect and Classroom of America 4 .
endorse the system, implying that consumerism is the natural and normal way (Aronson, 1999). Why would a student care about loans and interest computations if they see no relevance to this in their lives? If a student's family can barely pay for food and rent, taking a loan from a bank is probably not in their future.
Educational materials stressing the historical influences and cultural values of the dominant society, supported by a bombardment of outside media, cheat students in two ways. First, neglecting other cultures, or presenting them through a Eurocentric view, further reinforces stereotypes held by the dominant culture.
