Neoliberalism and New Right Flashcards
what is neoliberalism?
an economic doctrine that has major impact on education policy.
Neoliberals argue teh state shouldn’t provide services such as education/welfare
what is neoliberalism based on?
the idea that the state must not dictate to individuals how to dispose of their own property and should not try to regulate a free-market economy
what do neoliberals believe the value of education lies in?
how well it enables a country to compete in the global marketplace
what are some of the neoliberal views on education?
- consumers such as parent/student should have more choice and greater say in education decision-making.
- schools should compete with one another because free market competition drives up standards.
- high gov. spending on education is undesirable
what is the New Right?
conservative political view that incorporates neoliberal economic ideas.
what is a central principle of New Right thinking?
belief that the state cannot meet people’s needs and that people are best left to meet their own needs through the free market
what similarities are there between neoliberalism/New Right and functionalism?
- education should keep pace with ever-evolving economies and produce skilled workers
- ed systems need to respond to globalisation
- most talented and skillful members deserve higher rewards
- education should promote social integration and national identity
- ed systems should be meritocratic
why does the New Right believe marketisation will improve education?
the free market puts constant pressure on private providers of education to maintain high standards/ improve their product.
if they fail to do so, their ‘consumers’ go elsewehere
why has the state-run education in USA failed according to CHUBB and MOE?
- it hasn’t created equal opportunity and has failed the needs of disadvantaged children
- it is inefficient because it fails to produce pupils with skills needed by the economy
- private schools deliver higher quality education because they are answerable to paying consumers
what do CHUBB AND MOE base thier arguments on ?
a comparison of the achievements of 60,000 pupils from low-income familes in state and private high schools, together with findings of a parent survery and case studies of failing schools being turned around.
How much better do children from low-income families do in private schools according to CHUBB and MOE?
5%
what system do CHUBB and MOE propose?
each family is given a voucher to spend on buying education from a school of their choice, forcing schools to become more responsive to the parents’ wishes, since vouchers would be their main source of income
what two roles of the state does the New Right acknowledge?
- the state imposes a framework on schools within which they can compete. e.g. publishing Ofsted inspection reports and league tables - the state gives parents information with which to make a more informed choice
- the state ensures schools transmit a shared culture, By imposing national curriculum it gaurantees that schools socialise pupils into a shared cultural heritage.
why does the New Right support the national curriculum?
they believe education should affirm the national identity. e.g. teach GB literature and history.
who aregues that marketisation benefits the M/C who use their cultural/economic capital to gain access to desirable schools?
GEWIRTZ and BALL
