Marketisation Flashcards
(50 cards)
Describe the concept of marketisation in education.
Marketisation refers to the introduction of market forces, such as consumer choice and competition among suppliers, into state-run areas like education, leading to the creation of an ‘education market’.
Explain the impact of the 1988 Education Reform Act on marketisation.
The 1988 Education Reform Act, introduced by the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher, marked the beginning of marketisation in education by reducing direct state control and increasing competition and parental choice.
How did New Labour governments approach marketisation after 1997?
The New Labour governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown continued marketisation policies, emphasizing standards, diversity, and parental choice in education.
Define the role of competition in the marketisation of schools.
Competition in the marketisation of schools means that schools must attract parents (customers) by offering desirable outcomes, such as high exam success, to thrive in the education market.
What are academies and free schools in the context of marketisation?
Academies and free schools are initiatives introduced by the conservative-liberal democrat coalition government from 2010 to further marketisation in education, allowing more autonomy and competition among schools.
Explain the perspective of neoliberals and the New Right on marketisation.
Neoliberals and the New Right support marketisation, arguing that it compels schools to compete for students, leading to improved quality and efficiency in education.
Describe the concept of parentocracy in relation to marketisation.
Parentocracy refers to the idea that parents have the power to choose schools for their children, which is a key aspect of marketisation, promoting competition among schools to attract families.
How has marketisation influenced government education policy over the years?
Marketisation has become a central theme in government education policy since the late 1980s, with successive governments implementing policies that promote competition, choice, and reduced state control.
Describe the concept of ‘parentocracy’ in the context of marketised education.
‘Parentocracy’ refers to a system where parents have significant power and influence in the education market, allowing them to choose schools based on performance and other factors.
Explain how open enrolment impacts successful schools.
Open enrolment allows successful schools to recruit more pupils, which can lead to increased funding and resources, further enhancing their performance.
Define formula funding in the context of education.
Formula funding is a system where schools receive a standardized amount of funding for each pupil, promoting equity in financial resources across schools.
How does business sponsorship affect schools in a marketised education system?
Business sponsorship can provide additional resources and support for schools, potentially enhancing educational offerings and facilities.
Discuss the role of specialist schools in widening parental choice.
Specialist schools focus on specific subjects like IT or languages, offering parents more options tailored to their children’s interests and strengths.
Explain the implications of schools opting out of local authority control.
When schools opt out of local authority control to become academies, they gain more autonomy over their operations, curriculum, and funding, which can lead to varied educational experiences.
Describe the argument made by supporters of marketisation regarding school diversity.
Supporters argue that marketisation encourages diversity among schools, as it allows for different types of schools to emerge, catering to various educational needs and preferences.
How do critics view the impact of marketisation on educational inequality?
Critics argue that marketisation has exacerbated inequalities in education, as it can lead to disparities in resources and opportunities for students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Describe the impact of league tables on school selection.
League tables create a competitive environment where schools with good exam results attract more parents, allowing them to be selective in admissions, often favoring high-achieving, middle-class pupils.
Explain the concept of cream-skimming in the context of education.
Cream-skimming refers to the practice where ‘good’ schools select high-achieving students, often from middle-class backgrounds, thereby gaining an advantage over schools that must accept a broader range of abilities.
Define silt-shifting and its implications for schools with poor league table positions.
Silt-shifting is when ‘good’ schools avoid enrolling less able pupils to maintain their favorable league table standings, which further disadvantages schools with lower rankings that must accept these students.
How do marketisation policies contribute to class inequalities in education?
Marketisation policies, such as exam league tables, create disparities between schools by favoring those with better results, leading to a cycle where middle-class students benefit while working-class students are left at a disadvantage.
Describe how the funding formula affects school resources.
Schools receive funding based on the number of pupils they attract, leading to popular schools having more resources for better-qualified teachers and facilities.
Explain the impact of school popularity on funding and resources.
Popular schools attract more pupils, resulting in increased funding, while unpopular schools lose income and struggle to provide quality education.
Define the relationship between school competition and educational inequality.
Competition-oriented education systems, like Britain’s, tend to increase segregation among children from different social backgrounds.
How do marketisation policies influence parental choice in education?
Marketisation policies enhance parental choice, benefiting middle-class parents who have the economic and cultural capital to select ‘good’ schools.
