Education

Question 1

According to functionalism - what are the 4 functions of education?

Answer 1

Social solidarity: education passes on core values via the hidden and overt curriculum
Secondaty socialisation: school acts a bridge between family and society. Durkheim - school is like a mini society
Role allocation: sifts and sorts students according to their ability aligning them to the job that best suits them
Human Capital: trains a labour force

Question 2

Define meritocracy

Answer 2

An individual is rewarded/ advances based on their capability rather than wealth or background

Question 3

According to Marxism - what is the main role of education

Answer 3

To produce an obedient and submissive workforce in order to maintain a unequal capitalist society

Question 4

How does education act as a part of the ISA according to Marxism?

Answer 4

Althusser - education controls our beliefs by passing on the ideologies of the r/c

Question 5

Marxist view of meritocracy

Answer 5

Meritocracy is a myth that justifies inequality which keeps the working class in a state of false class consciousness

Question 6

Bowles and Gintis

Answer 6

Reproduction of the workforce
Correspondence principle - education mirrors principles in the work place through the hidden curriculum

Question 7

Correspondence principle examples

Answer 7

uniforms vs dress
detentions for lateness vs reprimands/warnings
rewards for good work vs promotions
exclusion/suspensions vs being fired
hierarchy - SLT at top vs boss at top

Question 8

Willis

Answer 8

Conducted unstructured interviews with 12 w/c ‘lads’ in their final year at school.
He found that they formed an anti-school subculture and activey chose to fail as they did not require qualifications for their dream jobs as factory workers

Question 9

Study and process

Hargreaves

Answer 9

Study: Interviews/observations with teachers from 2 secondary schools which focused on how teachers got to know students
Process: 3 stages occur
1. Speculation - teacher develops a hypothesis based on a students mannerisms and appearance
2. Elaboration - teacher tests their hypothesis which is either confirmed or contradicted
3. Stabilisation - teacher has a final judgement based on their interpretation and treats the student accordingly

Question 10

Definition

Halo effect

Answer 10

When pupils become favourably stereotyped based on a teachers earlier impression of them and are rewarded in future interactions (treated favourably)

Question 11

Who? and definition

Ideal pupil

Answer 11

Becker: Teachers judge students in relation to the stereotype of an ‘ideal pupil’. Based on their own middle class standards rather than the pupils ability

Question 12

Study and findings

Harvey and Slatin

Answer 12

Study on 96 elementary school teachers. Showed the teachers a range of pupils from different socio-economic demographics. Teachers specculated that white middle class pupils were more likely to be successful and had low expectations for those who were from disadvantaged non-white backgrounds.

Question 13

How does labelling result in the Self-fulfilling Prophecy

Answer 13

1. A student recieves a positive or negative label based on the teacher’s perception of them.
2. The teacher treats the student accordingly - which affects the students school experience
3. This leads to the S.F.P in which the student begins to internalise how the teacher treats them

Question 14

Study and findings

Rosenthal and Jacobson

Answer 14

They used a test (fake) to predict which children would make progress.
findings: Children made progress as a result of the S.F.P

Question 15

Ball

Answer 15

Working class students are more likely to be placed in lower sets even when performance was the same. Behaviour of the lower bands deteriorated quickly and teachers had low expectations

Keddie: lower sets are extremely simplified = less access to knowledge

Question 16

meaning and who came up with it

Educational Triage

Answer 16

Gillbourn and Youdell: compared to medical triage in which doctors treated patients in priority of those who are likely to survive with help first (borderline C students), those who would survive without medical attention (easily pass) and those who had no chance of survival last (hopeless cases)

they focus on the 2 groups to improve their position in league tables

Question 17

Definition

Subculture

Answer 17

Group within wider society that shares its own set of norms and values - usually different to the wider group

Question 18

Lacey

Answer 18

Differientation: m/c boys received a positive label and were put in higher sets than working class boys

Polarisation: the reaction to streaming/setting in which they respond by moving to one of two extreme ‘poles’:
pro-school subculture or anti-school subculture

Question 19

Study

Mac an Ghaill

Answer 19

Studied w/c white boys - the ‘macho lads’ who rejected school values and teacher authority to appear as cool and masculine amongst their friends - teachers responded by policing their behaviour

Question 20

Mary Fuller

Answer 20

Studied black girls and found that they rejected the negative stereotype. They worked consistently but gave the appearance of not doing so. They relied on their own efforts rather than the labels they were assigned

negative labelling does not always lead to s.f.p - failure

Question 21

Ball

Ethnocentric curriculum

Answer 21

The national curriculum is specifically british and focuses only on white culture ignoring non-european languages, literature and music
Ball: uses the term ‘little englandism’ to describe this

Question 22

3

External cultural deprivation theories

Answer 22

Language: Black caribbean students may speak patois at home and be penalised for talking that way at school

Attitudes/values: Media has created a negative anti-school role model for black students in particular - Arnot describes as the Ultra-tough ghetto superstar reinforced through rap lyrics and music videos

Parental support: Blacks - Mothers struggle to adequately socialise their children with a lack of a male role model
Asians - pro school attitude/ rarely lone parent/ authoritarian

Question 23

4 reason

Internal factors - reasons why boys underachieve in education

Answer 23

Lower expectations: Teachers tolerate disruptive behaviour more from boys and expect poorly presented work + S.F.P

Lack of male role models: education has become feminised 1 in 6 primary teachers are male

Peer-group status: Boys want to be seen as aggressive and dominating in lessons, so they are more likely to be sent out and x3 more likely to be sent out = less learning

Hegemonic masculinity: Doing well education is seen as feminine - Francis found boys were more concerned than girls about being labelled as gay

Question 24

2 factors

External factors - reasons why boys underachieve in education

Answer 24

Lack of traditional employment: Mitsos and Browne - decline in manufacturing jobs which leads to a loss of motivation to do well as they do not need the qualifications

Leisure: Boys spend time playing sports or videogames rather than reading

Question 25

# 4 factors External factors - reasons why girls overachieve in education

Answer 25

Influence of feminism/change in ambitions: McRobbie - in the 1970s magazines emphasised the importance of marriage now women are more independent need qualifications for economic freedom Sharpe - compared girls priorities which went from 80% of girls wanting to get married and be a housewife in 1970 to 45% in 1990 Changes in the family: 40% of marriages end in divorce and 90% of lone-parent households are female headed - there is more need and opportunity to be economically independent = motivation Change in employment: 1970 equal pay act 1975 sex discrimination act - girls have more of an incentive to get qualifications in order to obtain a job

Question 26

# 3 Internal factors - reasons why girls overachieve in education

Answer 26

Equal opportunity policies: WISE, 1988 - national curriculum Role models: more female teachers/ headteachers acts as encouragement Coursework: Mitsos and Browne - Girls are more organised, neater, mature earlier and concentrate longer

Question 27

Reasons for difference in subject choice

Answer 27

Early socialisation: Girls are encourage to be quiet, tidy and neat whereas boys are encourage to be rough and sporty Subject domians: Some subjects are seen as dominated by a specific gender Peer Pressure/ Hegemonic masculinity

Question 28

Ways education reproduces the patriarchy

Answer 28

Name calling: puts down girls for acting in a certain way and acts as a form of social control to make them conform to the male expectation Teachers: Have expectations of how girls should act, label girls that are disruptive as boisterous The male gaze: males sexualise girls as a form of social control

Question 29

# Definition Cultural capital

Answer 29

The assets of a person (education, intellect, style of speech) that promote social mobility

Question 30

Sullivan - Cultural capital

Answer 30

Conduccted a survey with 465 secondary school students looking at what music they listened to, what they watched and whether they visited museums/galleries and identified students were more likely to be successful if they read more complex fiction, watched programmes such as current affairs and arts. Tv such as soap operas and music was not helpful

Question 31

Effects of hidden cost

Answer 31

W/c may not be able to afford hidden costs leading them to being isolated, bullied and falling behind

Question 32

# 4 explanations Cultural explanations for deprivation

Answer 32

Parental attitudes: m/c parents monitor their child's progress, help with homework, understand the school system. Parent's level of ed: m/c parents understand the system better, less intimidated by teachers Attitudes and values: Delayed gratification, individual effort, future orientated, progress through effort (m/c) Language: Elaborated code - formal, academic, used in schools/textbooks

Question 33

Evans AO3 - cultural deprivation

Answer 33

Carried out observations and interviews and found that families on council house estates valued their childrens' education and encouraged them to do well just as much as m/c families = no diiference between positive attitudes to education.

Question 34

# when and what? Forster's Education Act

Answer 34

1870 - school boards were introduced to improved the standards of schools for children aged up to 10.

Question 35

# when and what? Education Reform Act

Answer 35

Butler - 1944: Secondary education was made free for the first time and raised the leaving age to 15. This created three types of secondary schools - the division known as the tripatite system. Children sat the 11+ exam to determine which school they would be put into: 1. Grammar school = pass (intelligent) 2. Modern = fail (practical intelligence) 3. Technical = fail (taught technical skills)

Question 36

Marxist view on tripartite system

Answer 36

It legitimised inequality through the ideology that ability is innate and can be identified early on, when in reality a child's success is based on their social background.

Question 37

# 5 Arguments against selection by ability

Answer 37

1. Late bloomers: some students may not begin to show their potential until they are older/ after the 11+ test 2. Reproduced social inequality: the tripartite system sifted and sorted the m/c into grammar schools and the w/c into technical and modern 3. S.F.P: negative stigma attached to moderns schools which creates a negative s.f.p for w/c pupils 4. Less peer support: It divides pupils based on ability meaning intelligent students can't aid others 5. Less social mobility: Only children in grammar schools are likely to advance to higher education

Question 38

# 3 Arguments for selection by ability

Answer 38

1. High flyers' learning is not slowed by less intelligent students - so their learning experience is maximised 2. Class size - grammar schools can cater to each students needs, whereas in modern school it is harder to recognise talent 3. Meritocracy - 11+ meant everyoine had an equal chance

Question 39

# when and what? Comprehensive School

Answer 39

1965 - abolished the tripartite system and the 11+ test with the exception of grammar schools

Question 40

Comprehensive and selection

Answer 40

All state schools are banned from selecting by ability to ensure all pupils get equality within education as they have the same resources, funding, facilities and teaching.

Question 41

# who and what? Covert selection

Answer 41

Tough and Brooks: secondary schools use 'backdoor' selection to choose higher ability/ higher social class students They also discourage w/c from applying by having expensive school uniform and making school literature hard to understand.

Question 42

AO2: London Oratory School

Answer 42

Catholic comprehensive school that was forced to change its admission policies in 2014 as it was criticised for having a lengthy process which disadvantaged w/c students, single-parent families and ethnic minorities. - It asked parents for baptism certificates - Didn't allow the admission of children with no faith - Gave priority to children who previously attended faith schools

Question 43

Education and the New Right - What time period was Margaret Thatcher prime minister

Answer 43

1979 - 1997 (conservative party)

Question 44

What policies do the new right favour?

Answer 44

Marketisation

Question 45

# Definition Education - Marketisation

Answer 45

Introduction of (market forces of) consumer choice and competition between suppliers into education

Question 46

Why is marketisation good?

Answer 46

It creates competition meaning schools have to raise their standards to attract more students

Question 47

# who introduced them What are vocational qualifications and why were they introduced

Answer 47

NR (conservative government -Thatcher) Introduced vocational course as a way to tack youth unemployment. They saw education as failing to teach work skills so Btecs and NVQs in subjects like bricklaying and childcare were introduced + apprenticeships and training schemes

Question 48

Criticisms of new vocationalism

Answer 48

Finn: There is a hidden political agenda as NVQs provide cheap labour for employers and keeps kids of the street so reduces crime Cohen: vocational training prepares young people of accepting a future of unskilled, low-paid work

Question 49

# When and What Education Reform Act

Answer 49

1988 - Aimed to raise teaching standards through competition, make schools more accountable and give parents greater choice (parentocracy)

Question 50

# 6 features Key features of the 1988 - Education Reform Act

Answer 50

Formula funding The National Curriculum National Testing League Tables Open Enrolment Grant Maintained Status (GMS)

Question 51

# Who? Definition, successes and failures Formula Funding

Answer 51

New Right Funding to schools was based on how many students enrolled ^ This gave schools an incentive to perform well and place high on league tables = competition x Less subscribed schools would have less funding, and not be able to improve because of a lack of resources x Risk of schools closing down

Question 52

# Who? Definition, successes and failures National Curriculum

Answer 52

New Right Require that all schools teach the same core subjects and content from the age of 7-16 ^ Made it easier for parents to compare and choose between schools ^ Continuity if a pupil moves schools x Private schools don't teach it x Not suitable for non-academic pupils

Question 53

# Who? Definition, successes and failures National Testing

Answer 53

New Right GCSEs and SATs were introduced alongside the national curriculum. Schools were also inspected by ofsted (1993) ^ Teachers encouraged to get high grades ^ Compare performance nationally x Pressure on pupils and teachers x Schools become exam factories

Question 54

# Who? Definition, successes and failures League Tables

Answer 54

New Right Schools were ranked based on their exam performance ^ Schools motivated to improve ^ Greater parentocracy x Creates sink schools x Schools may manipulate figures

Question 55

# Who? Definition, successes and failures Open Enrolment

Answer 55

New Right Schools can take pupils from anywhere not a specific catchment area ^ Schools compete - raise standards ^ More popular schools received more funding to improve facilities x Unpopular schools - less funding so at risk of closing x Breaks up communities

Question 56

# Who? Definition, successes and failures Grant Maintained Status

Answer 56

New Right School can opt out LEA (local educational authority) control Direct funding from central government ^ Greater autonomy for head teachers - prioritise spending ^ More funds at disposal of the school x Some schools had more money

Question 57

When was New Labour in power?

Answer 57

1997 - 2010

Question 58

New Labour - Aims

Answer 58

Improve economic success by focusing on skills (Right Wing) Supporting disadvantaged groups (Left Wing)

Question 59

# Who and what Compensatory education

Answer 59

New labour Designed to raise the achievement levels of students who come from materially and culturally deprived backgrounds Differnt policies were introduced as a result such as; Education Action Zones, EMA payments and Aim Higher Programmes

Question 60

# Who, what, failures and successes Education Action Zones

Answer 60

New Labour Set up to raise attainment levels of students in low-income inner city areas - they received additional resources/funding initiatives such as breakfast club and homework clubs ^/x The report found some improvements in KS1 but none in KS2/3

Question 61

# Who, what, failures and successes Sure Start Centres

Answer 61

New Labour Based on the idea that early intervention will have positive long-term effects mostly in disadvantaged areas. Provided advice and support for parents x Hard for direct home intervention

Question 63

# Who, what, failures and successes Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

Answer 63

New Labour Paid students aged 16-19 who were from lower income families Students received funding if they attended all their lessons and achieved their performance targets - up to £30 a week ^ Helped fund the hidden costs of education ^ Acted as an incentive for students attendance ^ Progression onto further education increased x Students may use the payments for something not related to school

Question 64

# Who, what, failures and successes Acadamies

Answer 64

New labour Aimed to raise standards in disadvantages schools. School which are no longer controlled by the local council and they get to keep 10% extra funding. So they are completely independent. They choose their own head teacher and develop their own curriculum

Question 65

# Who, what, failures and successes University Fees

Answer 65

Labour Introduced tuition fees for higher education (up to £3000 annually)

Question 66

# 2 Policies aimed at tackling inequality

Answer 66

Pupil Premium and Bursaries

Question 67

# Who, what, failures and successes Pupil premium

Answer 67

New labour Introduced in 2011, gave extra funding to schools based on the number of FSM pupils - approx £600 per fsm student x Schools may have used the extra funding on other things rather than on supporting the students

Question 68

# Who, what, failures and successes Bursaries

Answer 68

Coalition/new labour Replaced the EMA scheme with bursaries. It targetted those in the lowest income households and gave funding to schools and colleges rather than to the students themselves.

Question 69

# Who and what Exogenous Privatisation

Answer 69

Ball and Youdell 10% of funding from academies is from business/charities so there is influence of private interest over the running of the school. Exam boards are private companies. UK's largest Edexcel is ran by the global corporation Pearson's which runs exam boards in 70+ countries.

Question 70

# Who and What Endogenous Privatisation

Answer 70

Ball and Youdell The introduction of free market principles into the day-to-day running of schools (marketisation) which includes: - making schools compete for pupils - giving parents choice so they become consumers (open enrolment) - Linking school funding to sucess rates (formula funding) - allowing successful schools to take over and manage failing ones

Question 71

Globalisation in education has 3 influences

Answer 71

- Increased flow of ideas about education: learning about alternative ways of teaching, learning and assessing e.g. videos, online courses - Presents a new challenge: educators need to prepare students for a working environment that requires tech and adapt to the increasing flow of students from different cultures - Establishment of global IT companies: companies like Google are involved in writing curriculums and online learning materials for various governments around the world

Question 72

# what, sucesses, failures How do we make internation comparisons within education?

Answer 72

PISA testing Data is ranked in a league table showing the performance of each country It has influenced educational policies in many countries e.g. introduction of maths mastery classes in primary schools (5%) However, has led to moral panic over the state of British education and PISA is only based on 3 subjects