Handbook of the Sociology of Education

Handbook of the Sociology of Education


School is one of the first institutions that an individual encounters in the socialization process. A child’s formative years are in part shaped by the educational system as well as other students, teachers, principals, and parents. The individual is socialized in this smaller society and prepared to move into adulthood and society at large.


This seminal research work is built on three fundamental tenets of sociology: the school is a central institution in society; the school is a social system; and social events depend on the interaction of macro- and micro-level processes. The Handbook is divided into the following sections:


Theoretical and Methodological Orientations

Development and Expansion of Education

The Study of Access to Schooling

The Study of School Organization

The Study of School Outcomes

Policy Implications of Research in the Sociology of Education



The Handbook of the Sociology of Education provides a comprehensive overview of the field of education from a sociological perspective. Experts in this area present theoretical and empirical research on major educational issues and analyze the social processes that govern schooling, as well as the role of schools in and their impact on contemporary society. The book is a major reference work for social scientists, graduate students, and educators who want an overview of the field.