Class differences in academic ahcievment

Question 1

Speech codes

Answer 1

Basil Bernstein

• theorised there are ‘elaborate’ and ‘restricted’ speech codes, the former having comlpex gramatical structures and wide vocabulary. The WC tend to use restricted code which alienates them from teachers.
• Labov (1973) criticized Bernstein for alluding to the elaborated code being superior, whereas in reality working class and middle class speech are just different, it is only the cultural dominance of the elaborated code in education that makes it seem superior.

Question 2

Habitus

Answer 2

Pierre Bourdieu

• argues each class had its own framework of norms and values called ‘habitus’. MC habitus places value on inherintley educational activities like classical literature and documentaries.
• exposure to such activities provides middle class chuldren with avantageous skills and knowldge (such as reading or high self esteem)

Question 3

Poor housing + diet

Answer 3

Mariliyn Howard

• young people from poorer homes have lower intakes of energy, vitamins and minerals. Poor nutrition affects health by weakening immune system, not getting enough sleep and therefore increases school absence.
• Institute of health inequality notes that 1.7 million school days are lost to illnes in europe and the uk has a rate of 80% above average

Question 4

Lack of reasources

Answer 4

David Bull

• Costs like transport, books and uniforms place a heavy burden on the families and mean children have to either put up with hand-me downs or be forced to miss out.
• ‘cost of free schooling’ - missing out on educational experiencers diminishes working class kids learning attitudes.
• major source of bullying which only futher increases the offputtiing nature of school for WC children.