考试的社会功能探究

Probe into Social Function of Examinations

考试尤其是大规模的考试,自诞生之日起就承担着为社会选拔和筛选人才的功能。从社会学的角度看,考试这一选拔和筛选人才的功能实质上是社会分层和社会控制在教育活动中的具体运用。首先,考试的历史发展和考试本身的层次性等皆证明考试是社会分层和选拔的工具。其次,考试的内容和过程等隐含着社会控制。所以,社会分层和社会控制是考试所隐含的社会功能,考试是课程知识合法化的工具。

Examinations,especially the large-scale ones,have since the date of their birth perform the function of selecting and screening talent candidates for the society.From a sociological point of view,this function is an expression of social stratification and control,because,on one hand,the historical development and the classifications of examinations have found them a tool of social stratification and selection;on the other hand,the contents and procedures of the exams are under the control of the society.From this angle,we say that to stratify and control the society are the two functions of examinations.Moreover,examinations are a tool to legalize schooling.