Final answer:
The concept sociologists are referring to is the hidden curriculum, which involves the informal teaching practices that convey societal norms and expectations not explicitly covered in the formal school curriculum but integral to socializing children into specific roles in society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sociologists are referring to the concept of the hidden curriculum when they discuss the disconnect between democratic values and what actually happens in schools. The hidden curriculum is the informal teaching that occurs in schools, involving school and classroom rituals, and led by teachers who serve as role models and leaders. This curriculum often reinforces societal expectations and power relationships that differ from the espoused democratic values, teaching students lessons about competition, cooperation, and the adult world that aren't explicitly included in the formal curriculum.
For example, the grading system and competitive activities in schools demonstrate to children that there are winners and losers in society, thereby preparing them for certain roles within the workforce and social structure. They also internalize behavior such as waiting their turn, respecting bureaucracy, and conforming to rules and expectations, which can help them function according to their culture's norms. Conflict theorists suggest that this educational process can perpetuate social inequality, as it helps to maintain the status quo by rewarding those with cultural capital while training working-class students to accept lower positions in society.