STUDIES ABOUT THE FUNCTIONING OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

from the reproduction of social inequalities to the Effect School

Abstract

This paper presents a literature review, mostly foreign, about the unequal access to formal education thematic. Initially are discussed contributions of the Reproduction Theory, for the expansion of understanding of educational phenomenon, particularly from the concept of cultural capital and its influence on the academic performance of students from different social classes. This analysis is followed by a discussion about the studies on School Effects, made both abroad and in Brazil, focusing on the contribution of these research to understand, as the school, despite the relevance of social class factor, it can be a differential in the school trajectory of the students, mainly in developing countries like Brazil, where the schooling conditions still are very segmented.