Globalisation, Privatisation and Educational Policy Flashcards
(16 cards)
What two factors have had an important influence on educational policies
- globalisation
- privatisation
What is endogenous privatisation
Transfer of once Public assets to private companies
This is the soft forms seen in marketisation
Schools placed into competition which has been increased by policies like academies and free schools
What is exogenous privatisation
Harder forms of privatisation
Businesses directly making profits from schools
This can be seen in the outsourcing of the systems used to run schools to private businesses such as parent pay, multinational companies such as Pearson being involved running exam boards and companies like Kahoot, Microsoft, Google
Positives of privatisation
- business like and efficient schools
- increase parentocracy
- improving standards
Negatives of privatisation
- companies may exploit schools
- drain money from the education system into private hands
- companies put profit before equality of opportunity
What is globalisation
The world is becoming increasingly interconnected and barriers are disappearing
Key features of globalisation
Rise of transnational companies and global capitalism and neo liberalist beliefs that the competition snd free market is the key to successful and progressive societies
Kelly - globalisations influence on educational policy - government meeting the needs of the global economy
The government feels like they need to make sure that the skills provided by education meet the needs of the global economy and this can be seen directly in the development of T levels and the new institutions for technology. MFL reform in 2024 also to make them more attractive so they can participate in a global workforce
Kelly - globalisation influence on educational policy - increasingly alike
Education systems around the world may become increasingly alike (marketised and based on neo liberalist beliefs ideas) with governments filing more weight to comparing international league tables and international tests like PISA
Eg Alexander suggests some policies were created as a direct result of countries like Singapore and Finland consistently topping these league tables and in the past UK ranking comparably lower. As a result national curriculum was reformed, rigor of SATS GCSEs and Alevels
Kelly - globalisation influence on educational policy - schools market themselves globally
Academic institutions need to market themselves globally as a product to attract global customers. This is particularly the case with universities and private schools who want to particularly attract foreign students as they pay a much higher rate of fees
Kelly - globalisation influence on educational policy - companies generating profits
Multi national companies play an active role in generating profits from schools. For example the exam board Edexcel is owned by multinational Pearson. Educational software companies used by schools are owned by disney and Mattel. There is also the idea of cola-isation of schools where companies logos sponsor schools
Strengths of impact of globalisation
International comparisons useful - Oates useful in benchmarking what young people are capable of achieving at different ages
More multicultural curriculum and improved standards - Holborn - tolerant understanding of other cultures and religions
Weaknesses of impact of globalisation
Flawed comparisons - Kelly points out tests only measure a narrow definition of education and in reality has led to an exam factory approach to learning rather than developing a range of educational abilities
Flawed impact on educational policy - Torrance highly critical of global league tables as results may support oppositional educational policies eg in Singapore setting and streaming is used which suggests countries not doing well should adopt this
Commodification of education - Ball highly critical and says treating education like a business rather than a human right to be enjoyed by all free of charge is a weakness. Students are seen as commodities to be bought and sold for a profit.
Consequence of globalisation
Increased migration to the UK which has caused the UK to become a more multicultural society and in more recent years has caused super diversity
Policy of multiculturalism has failed with marketisation due to white and BAME communities rather than being integrated lived separate lives by sending children to culturally homogeneous schools
Cultural homogenisation - marginalised groups form resistance identities eg radicalisation and extremism and in direct response promoting Fundamental British Laws and Prevent was introduced
Policies specific to ethnicity
Assessment methods - when black pupils begin to overtake white majority, the government will change how progress is measured to restore white superiority
Access to opportunities- deprived inner city areas where BME is heavily populated, Gufted and Talneted Programmes introduced but whites are 2x more likely to attend
Multi culturalism and policy - move away from policies of assimilation
Policies specific to gender
National curriculum - boys ans girls do the same subjects
GIST and WISE encouraging girls to choose science and maths and for teachers to be awayew of sexism
Coursework - Gorard / Mitsos and Browne
