Education Policies Flashcards
(20 cards)
What was the aim of 1944-1965 Tripartite System?
To provide equal opportunity for all pupils regardless of social class or background which allocated children into one of three different types of secondary schools which reflected their aptitudes and abilities.
Strengths of the Tripartite System
Aimed to provide tailored education suited to students abilities.
Designed with the intention of promoting social mobility as it offered pupils from a lower socio-economic background to be given the opportunity to attend schools of greater resources.
Weaknesses of the Tripartite System
Reproduced gender inequality by requiring girls to gain higher marks in the 11+ exam.
The TS legitimated inequality from the ideology that ability is inborn and that it can be measured in a single test
what was the aim of the 1965 Comprehensive System? Provide an example of measure they implemented.
To overcome the class divide of the tripartite system and make education more meritocratic and egalitarian.
11+ exam was abolished, all pupils within the same catchment area would attend the same mixed ability comprehensive.
Strengths of the Comprehensive System
- provided equal opportunities for all pupils
- mixed ability classes fosters a sense of social cohesion and inclusivity.
weaknesses of Comprehensive System
Marxists argue that comprehensives are not meritocratic as it reproduces class inequality through streaming and labelling.
what was the aim of the 1988 Education Reform Act (ERA).
Provide examples of measures.
To raise standards, increase parental involvement, introduce competition amongst schools (marketisation)
example of measures:
- National Curriculum; introduced standardised curriculum for all pupils
- Open enrolment; forced all schools to recruit all pupils to maximum capacity
strengths of the Education Reform Act (ERA)
- Use of league tables are able to show parents the schools performance ranking highlighting a sense of transparency.
- Introduced GCSE’s which gives people qualifications, overall raising the standards of education
weaknesses of Education Reform Act (ERA)
- Sociologist Lawton argued that the National Curriculum undermined local democratic control of education by centralising the power to the government.
- Sociologist Johnson criticises National Curriculum claiming that it uses a single curriculum, basing pupils off a common culture, discouraging equality of opportunity
what was the aims of 1997 Labour Reforms?
Provide examples of measures
To reduce inequality and improve working class opportunity.
measures:
- Sure Start; provides early childhood care and educational programs.
- Raising school leaving age to reduce pupils not in education or employment.
strengths of Labour Reform policies
Reduces the education gap and achievement by reinforcing policies which enable pupils entitled to education until 18.
Provides targeted support to assist disadvantaged areas e.g. Sure Start.
weaknesses of Labour Reform policies
- New labour policy was a paradox.
- Overemphasis on standardised testing.
- Tuition fees are expensive which may deter working class pupils to continue with further education.
what was the aims of the 2010 Coalition Reforms.
Main Aims:
- Increase school standards
- Give schools more independence
- Improve parental choice
- Make education more competitive and efficient
- Reduce the role of the state in education
Provide examples of measures brought by the 2015 Coalition Government
Pupil Premium; Extra funding given to schools for each disadvantaged pupil to help close the attainment gap.
Academies; schools, were encouraged to become academies, giving them more control and autonomy over curriculum and finances, removing them from local authority control.
Free Schools; Allowed parents, teachers, charities, or businesses to set up new schools independent of local authorities, to promote choice and innovation.
strengths of Coalition Reform policy
- Increased School Autonomy; Academies and free schools were given more control over budgets, and curriculum, allowing them to be more responsive to student needs and innovative in their approach.
- Raised Standards; A stronger focus on academics through reformed GCSEs and A-levels aimed to improve the overall quality of education.
The increased use of Ofsted inspections and league tables helped to hold schools more accountable for their performance.
weaknesses of Coalition Reform policy
Sociologist Allen argued that research from Sweden showed where 20% of schools are free schools, show they only benefit children from highly educated families.
Sociologist Ball argued that promoting academies and free schools had led to: Fragmentation and Centralisation of control.
Ofsted (2012) found that Pupil Premium (PP) was not always spent on what it was supposed to be.
what was the aims of the 2015 privatisation policy.
- Reduce the role of the state in education
- Increase efficiency and innovation through private sector involvement
- Create a more competitive education system
- Give schools more autonomy and flexibility
- Improve standards through market principles
Provide examples of measures brought by 2015 Privatization policy
-Blurring the public/private boundary; Private firms were increasingly used to deliver services like:
1. School inspections (Ofsted subcontractors)
2. Educational software and resources
3. Tutoring and staff training
- The globalisation of education policy;
British education became part of a global education market, with companies exporting education services abroad (e.g. running British-curriculum schools overseas)
strengths privatization policy
Access to Additional Funding; Private sponsors can bring extra investment into schools, improving facilities and resources without relying solely on government funds.
Improved Choice and Competition; A wider range of schools gives parents more choice, and competition between schools can drive up standards.
weaknesses privatization policy
Profit over Pupils
Critics argue that private companies may prioritise cost-cutting or profits over student welfare and educational quality.
Fragmentation of the System
The rise of independent school providers can make the system confusing and fragmented, weakening community cohesion and planning.
