New Right

Question 1

Difference between New Right and Functionalism

Answer 1

New Right (Charles Murray) are concerned that the ideal is under threat whereas functionalists remain positive

Question 2

New Right ideas

Answer 2

• Some people are naturally more talented than others
• Education should be meritocratic
• Education should socialise students into shared values - provide a sense of national identity
• They believe in tradition e.g. nuclear family

Question 3

What do New Right thinkers say the role of education is?

Answer 3

• Socialisation
• Skills - men should be equipped with the skills to be able to provide their families

Question 4

Why is the New Right worried about education?

Answer 4

The effects of State Control

One Size fits all

Lower standards

Question 5

What are the effects of State Control?

Answer 5

• resulted in inefficiency
• schools aren’t trying hard enough and standards are slipping due to no incentive
• Schools haven’t given pupils the skills they need for employment
• Leads to a dependency culture

Question 6

A03 of the effects of State Control

Answer 6

• New Right does not believe that the state can run an efficient education system
• Functionalism is more positive

Question 7

What is One Size fits all?

Answer 7

State run education system inevitably turns into a ‘one size fits all’ which doesn’t meet individual or community needs

E.g. national curriculum - should be teaching specific skill sets to individuals instead

Question 8

A03 of One Size fits all

Answer 8

Postmodernists agree as they believe there shouldn’t be one singular curriculum as it should change to meet postmodern society needs

Question 9

What are Lower Standards?

Answer 9

• state schools answer to local authorities
• schools who get poorer results don’t change as they don’t answer to consumer
• result in lower standards and less qualified work force

Question 10

A03 of Lower Standards

Answer 10

• low standards in some state schools are the result of inadequate funding rather than state control of education

Question 11

What solutions to these problems do the New Right recommend?

Answer 11

• impose a competition structure on education e.g. OFSTED
• make sure schools pass on a shared culture

Question 12

What is a key study to support New Rights view on education?

Answer 12

Chubb and Moe
- Children from low income families who go to private schools do 5% better
- private schools must answer to the consumers
- introduce marketisation - consumer choice and competition

Question 13

What is the voucher system?

Answer 13

• Each family would be given a voucher to spend on buying education from a school of their choice
• these would be the main source of income for the school

Question 14

A03 of Chubb and Moe’s study

Answer 14

Gerwitz
- competition between schools benefits the middle class
- they can get their children into the most desirable schools