Ask AI: in 5 sentences how does conflict theory view the role of schooling in society?

Conflict theory views schooling in society as a means of perpetuating social inequality. It argues that educational institutions reinforce class stratification by providing different levels of quality education to students based on their socio-economic status. Schools are seen as tools that benefit the dominant class by promoting values, behaviors, and beliefs that align with maintaining their power. Furthermore, conflict theorists believe that standardized testing and curriculum choices often reflect the interests of the elite, thereby marginalizing lower-income and minority students. Overall, schooling is perceived not as a neutral or equitable system but as a mechanism that reproduces existing societal inequalities.