Conservative: 1988 Edication Reform Act Flashcards
(7 cards)
What is marketisation?
The process of introducing market forces of consumer choice and competition with suppliers run by state. This has led to an education market by reducing direct state control and increasing competition between school and parentocracy ( business like). Introduced by conservative government of thatcher.
What’s included in the 1988 ERA?
- national curriculum: that’s standardised core and functional subject
- testing and attainment targets: exams to ensure target met.
- publication of league table and ofsted reports: rank school to their performance.
- parental choice: given right to send to school of choice so schools produced prospectuses to national average.
- open enrolment: forced schools to recruit pupil to maximum capacity.
- formula funding: based on enrolment.
- Grant maintained schools: encouraged to become self governing fundings from government and right select pupil on entry exams.
- local management of schools: increased power and independence. 85% budget removed from LEAs and to headteachers and governors.
What is the national curriculum?
LAWTON argue it undermines local democratic control and independence of teaching profession by centralising power in governments hand. Believes NC is traditional and unimaginative and neglects important areas of learning ie politics. It defined certain types of knowledge worthy to study ignoring others. MacNEIL stated it reflects white Anglo Saxon culture excluding minority ethnic groups (ethnocentric).
Emphasis on benefits of British colonialism, classical English writers,European languages, Christianity.
What is SATs?
Critics argue it’s turned it into a rat race. Frequent formal testing leads to labelling and changes the nature of education.
What are league tables?
Argue a misleading impression of the quality of school as it reveals more about social class background of pupil more than quality/effectiveness of school. So can conceal under performing schools in advantaged MC areas and good in WC. Harder for poorer schools to improve. BARTLETT et all schools engage cream skimming (more selective) and silt shifting (less able pupil).
What is parental choice?
Led to a retrograde steps. Emphasis on testing and competition undermines principle of comprehensive system. Giving parents right to choose increased segregation between social class as more privileged benefit more.
BALL and GEWIRTZ conducted research in 14 schools examining LEA documents interview teachers and 150 parents. to asses the ERA reform has effects on education of diff social groups. Schools are keen to attract academically able to boos their reputation. A soft from what schools can do for pupil to vice versa. Schools are more concerned with their image and pupil have become more like commodities to promote school.
What are the three main types of parent choosers?
1.privileged: mainly MC to exploit market place in education than others. Their own higher levels of education more able to use cultural (knowledge and contact)and economical capital to ensure place for child. Know to access inspection reports, make appointments, multiple applications and appeals.
2. Disconnected local: mainly WC with a lack of cultural and economic capital.
3. Semi skilled: mainly WC but more ambitious for children lack cultural capital to rely on other people’s opinion
Measures introduced by ERA to make education market orientated to make education less egalitarian and produce socially differentiated and divisive system.
