Education is “the central means by which a society transmits its knowledge, values, and expectations to its members” (Ferris & Stein). From a sociological perspective, this statement resonates through my educational experiences. I’ve learned a lot from the education system, and I have experienced outside forces playing a role in my own schools. In elementary school, I was a part of a referendum and the introduction of the “No Child Left Behind” Act. In high school, I experienced what it was like to be in one of the poorest schools in our district, due to the crash of the housing market. These experiences have opened my eyes to the quality of education I was given versus the people I encounter now, who come from varied other backgrounds. I was made aware of not only the fragility of the educational system, but also the massive influence education has on every person.