Final answer:
A child most likely to be perceived as a "model" student typically conforms to educational norms, shows academic excellence, and may come from a privileged background, leading to them being placed in accelerated programs. These factors contribute to the self-fulfilling prophecies linked to students' long-term academic and social prospects.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to much of the research on students' roles and how they are perceived within the educational system, the child most likely to be perceived by teachers as a "model" student is one who exhibits conformity to school norms, prowess in academic achievements, and perhaps belongs to a dominant racial group or upper-class family. These factors often influence teachers' expectations and may lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the student either lives up or down to what is expected of them. This concept was illustrated in Jeremy Iversen's book, High School Confidential, where even without a teacher knowing about his educational background, a negative label was assigned that could have lasting impacts on a real student.
In the context of functionalism in education, these "model" students are likely to be placed in accelerated programs to prepare them for successful college attendance, based on classroom achievements and external assessments. The role of schools in this manner is to sort students and adapt education to fit their perceived academic merit or potential, which locks students into roles that can be difficult to break out of, affecting their long-term socialization and opportunities.