What is meant by "educational stratification"?

Educational stratification refers to the hierarchical division of students based on their social backgrounds, including factors like socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and family background. This phenomenon highlights how different groups experience varying levels of access to educational opportunities, resources, and outcomes, often leading to inequalities within the education system.

This concept is significant because it illustrates how education can reflect and perpetuate existing social inequalities. For example, students from wealthier families may have access to better schools, tutoring, and extracurricular activities, while those from lower-income backgrounds may face more barriers. Understanding educational stratification is crucial for analyzing social mobility and the effectiveness of policies aimed at creating equal opportunities in education.

Other options, while they relate to education, do not encapsulate the essence of educational stratification. Grouping students by age refers to a more administrative practice rather than a reflection of social disparities. The equal distribution of educational resources suggests an ideal scenario that contrasts with the reality of stratification, where resources are often unevenly distributed. The process of enrolling students in schools is related to educational access but doesn't capture the ongoing effects of social background on educational experiences and achievements.