SOCIOLOGISTS FOR SOCIAL POLICY

Question 1

DAVID - parentocracy

(OLD CONSERVITIVE 1979-1997)

Answer 1

• marketisation policies have turned the education system into a parentocracy - the focus has changed from the schools/teachers to parents as consumers

Question 2

BARTLETT - cream skimming/silt shifting and oversubscription

(OLD CONSERVITIVE 1979-1997)

Answer 2

• league tables mean schools become more selective
• cream skimming - good schools can choose the best pupils
• silt shifting - schools can avoid pupils who are likely to get bad results
• this means popular schools become oversubscribed, and teachers focus more on exam success rather than the wellbeing of students

Question 3

GILLBORN & YOUDELL - league tables/educational triage

(OLD CONSERVATIVE 1979-1997)

Answer 3

resources are given to students likely to pass 5 GCSEs which is a problem for WC students and some ethnic minorities

Question 4

GILLBORN & YOUDELL - formula funding

(OLD CONSERVITIVE 1979-1997)

Answer 4

public policy research findings on formula funding means unpopular schools have their budgets reduced, popular schools will get more funding to attract better teachers and have better resources

Question 5

GEWIRTZ - parentocracy

(OLD CONSERVITIVE 1979-1997)

Answer 5

parentocracy is a myth as middle class parents become privileged-skilled choosers whilst working class students become disconnected-local choosers

Question 6

BALL & GEWIRTZ - marketing/pr

(OLD CONSERVITIVE 1979-1997)

Answer 6

• league tables created to attract best pupils and money was being spent on marketing/pr.
• schools no longer co operate with each other
• schools concerned over their image

Question 7

BENN - tuition fees

(NEW LABOUR 1997-2010)

Answer 7

the introduction of tuition fees 1998 - ‘new labour paradox, help for students in FE but tuition fees could deter WC pupils from going to uni’

Question 8

BALL - fragmentation

(COALITION 2010-2015)

Answer 8

• comments on the creation of academies/free schools - ‘fragmentation on the education system into a patchwork of private providers.
• centralisation of control - the government has the power to allow these new schools and local education authorities no longer have a say in how schools are run

Question 9

MOLNAR - endorsement

(PRESENT DAY CONSERVITIVE 2015-NOW)

Answer 9

schools are targeted by private companies - product endorsement

Question 10

BALL - private profit making

(PRESENT DAY CONSERVITIVE 2015-NOW)

Answer 10

we have moved away from a government controlled education system and education is being turned into an object of private profit-making

Question 11

MOLNAR - colaisation

(PRESENT DAY CONSERVITIVE 2015-NOW)

Answer 11

colaisation of schools - being targeted by tescos (computers) and sainsburys (active kids promotion)