Education + view (cont debates) - UK's changing system Flashcards
UK’s changing edu system:
- general (3)
- book examples (4)
Summarised: mostly a process of doing and undoing reforms and policies, at the behest of ill-informed, misguided or overly biased governments. Commonly argued that most policies were for reasons outside of preserving educational value or improving diversity and equality for students; hence the outcomes from such policies in school to school were of the same nature.
General:
1. UK education system always separated; Ireland and Scotland separate, England and Wales together until 2006 (Walex given devolved government)
2. UK edu comprised: early years (nursery until 5, entitled to 570 hrs free preschool a year; Primary education, starting age 4, national curriculum beginning at 5yrs; secondary education, 11-16yrs; further education 18+; higher education, degrees, masters, PhD)
3. different forms of schools: independent schools (since 1980, government gradually mostly responsible for education - 7% children in independent schools, can charge £30,000+ annually); grammar schools (part of the tripartite system of secondary education from 1940s-1970s), city technology colleges (built 1980s, only 15 built); academies (by labour gov in 2000s, Nov 2013 3,444); free schools (by coalition gov since 2010); faith schools (Church of England, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu); specialist schools (1997+ labour emphasises value of these); special (SEN) schools (SEN schools, recently encouraged to be included in regular comp schools)
Book examples:
General:
1. Younger and Warrington (2005): found numerous efforts to boost boys’ achievement such as emphasising social education, encouraging articulation and written work, etc.
2. Swann Report (1985): all students need to learn the value of a multiethnic society and multicultural education.
3. Gilborn (2008): argued neither conservative nor labour governments committed to anti-racism in education; instead that post-2001, UK/US terrorist attacks encouraged an ‘aggressive majoritarianism’ UK government stance and increased islamophobia if anything.
4. Weekes-Bernard (2007): emphasis on marketisation and parental choice did little to benefit multiethnic and poor pupils, instead benefitting mainly white middle class families again.
UK’s changing edu system - Conservative reforms:
- general (6)
- book examples (3)
- additional examples (2)
- socs (3)
General:
1. 1979 Thatcherism rejected post-WWII soc dem consensus, instead supported New Right views; launched a mass privatisation and marketisation of education, and pushed for an economic focus on UK education.
2. argued to shift focus to vocational workplace skills over academics; 1980s youth unemployment blamed on lack of vocational focus. A number of qualifications and certifications were created, to varying levels of success (YTS, NVQs, CPVE). Often criticised as merely a means of forming cheap labour, not addressing underlying issues in society.
3. marketisation on basis of providing more agency for parents, school function and treating schools as businesses (e.g. formula funding). Led to further hierarchical and exclusivity for education, and argued to only support further ostracism and exclusion of the middle and working classes from academic opportunities.
4. national curriculum introduced (1988), with core subjects and standards, and opportunity for schools to deviate somewhat.
5. league tables published (1992 onwards), with SATs, A-levels and GCSE results. Additionally OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education - 1993) created to monitor educational quality.
6. criticisms: league tables a superficial and narrow reflection; emphasis on vocation over academics (and the preference of academia in private schools) reflects merely** hierarchical, capitalist, classist efforts and a means of cheap labour** over academic development; marketisation and privatisation only worsened inequalities for working class youths; lack of grants, increased university sums and the business competition of schools worsened state of education for most.
Book examples:
Conservative reforms (1979-1997):
1. Gewirtz (1995): undersubscribed schools under pressure to cater to parents’ preferences; prioritised marketing over educational quality. Middle class parents benefited most over working class families.
2. Finn (1987): schemes for ‘education’ in reality a means of cheap labour, keeping people off of the streets and mitigating issues spreading due to with the depressing wage levels of youth workers.
3. Lawson et al (2010): imposing a uniform, ‘one size fits all’ curriculum on all students reduces any capacity to help those who learn differently.
Additional examples:
Conservative Reforms (1979-1997):
Dornan and Phillips (1983):
- Process: Analysed the effects of conservative policies on social policy in the UK.
- Findings: Identified a shift towards market-oriented reforms, reduction in welfare expenditure, and increased emphasis on individual responsibility.
Hills (1991):
- Process: Examined conservative social policies from a social democratic perspective.
- Findings: Highlighted the increasing inequality and the reduced role of the state in social provision.
Socs:
- Giddens (1938), Hall (1932), Bauman (1970)
UK’s changing edu system - New Labour reforms:
- general (6)
- book examples (2)
- additional examples (2)
- socs (3)
General:
1. 1997, Tony Blair and’s soc dem and NR ‘third way’; primary goal to tackle ‘social exclusion’
2. educational **semi-reforms and half-aims: ‘Sure Start’ (1999), EAZs (1998), EiC, academies, EMAs (2004), HE
3. criticised that the benefits were meagre, and these ‘new changes’ did relatively little but continue the NR inequalities and discrimination.
4. specialist schools developed; by 2007 (over 75% all UK secondary schools specialist) **- ‘the end of the bog standard comprehensive’ (Alistair Campbell)
5. **league tables still used, but measures of ‘value’ added (e.g. pupil progress and school leaving rates)
6. Labour mostly functioned as a further extension of NR reforms**
7. New Deal for Young People (1998): 18-24 given employment advisors; 46% entered employment, but critics argue New Deal merely coincided with falling employment rates
Book examples:
New Labour reforms (1997-2010):
1. Walford (2005): contradictions in Labour’s efforts; can’t both reduce inequality and provide better opportunities whilst lessening financial support and facilitating class divides and widening educational gaps.
2. Ball (2008): marketisation of schools created ‘sink schools’ in poorer areas; also found middle class parents had the best agency, whereas working class parents remained with relatively little.
Additional examples:
New Labour Reforms (1997-2010):
Powell and Rein (1999):
- Process: Explored the social policy changes introduced by the New Labour government.
- Findings: Identified a focus on social investment, modernization of public services, and a commitment to reducing child poverty.
Hantrais and Walker (2009):
- Process: Analysed the impact of New Labour’s social policies on society.
- Findings: Highlighted the mixed outcomes of New Labour’s reforms, including improvements in some areas (e.g., education) but also persistent inequalities.
Socs:
- Sennett (1943), Skeggs (1959), Burawoy (1947)
UK’s changing edu system - Coalition reforms:
- general (8)
- book examples (4)
- additional examples (2)
- socs (3)
General:
1. both conservative and liberal democrat coalition; but still majority conservative government ministers in the Department of Education
2. aims to turn schools into ‘engines of social mobility’, to ‘overcome the accidents of birth and social background’
3. efforts via sponsored and converter academies and free schools provided some success; additionally efforts to lessen discrimination and improve diversity in education was somewhat successful
4. but increasing tuition prices and fewer financial opportunities for lower middle and working class students worsened issues of HE entrants and working class educational attainment.
5. also has been criticised that continuing structure gives Secretary of State for Education in London too much power, and reforms are undemocratic as the dominant swing comes from this London role over individual communities or schools.
6. Tuition fee changes: 2010, maximum tuition fee cap increased from £3,290 to £9,000 per year
7. free schools: had more autonomy in curriculum and admissions policies; could promote (or restrict) diversity
8. pupil premium (2011): provide additional funding in England to raise disadvantaged students’ attainment
Book examples:
Coalition reforms (2010-2015):
1. proportion of 16-18yr olds staying in full-time education fell since 2001.
2. Independent Commission on Fees (2012): average university student leaves with around £44,000 debt
3. Ofsted (2013): 90% inspected Ark academy schools rated as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’, in comparison to national average of 80%
4. Hasan (2011): head teacher survey, 46% converted school to academy
Additinal examples:
Coalition Reforms (2010-2015):
Taylor-Gooby and Leruth (2013):
- Process: Examined the welfare reforms implemented by the coalition government.
- Findings: Identified the prioritisation of fiscal austerity, welfare cuts, and changes to the benefit system, leading to increased poverty and inequality.
Patrick and Edmiston (2015):
- Process: Assessed the social policy changes introduced by the coalition government.
- Findings: Highlighted the mixed impact of reforms, including reductions in spending, changes to welfare benefits, and increased demand for charitable and voluntary services.
Socs:
- Harvey (1935), Lister (1948), Dorling (1968)
