The role and functions of education Flashcards
(24 cards)
F: What is social solidarity and who defined it?
Durkheim: Education binds people together in transmitting shared norms and values
F: Give me an example of social solidarity
Teaching British values or celebrating national events (e.g. Remembrance Day in schools)
F: What is a limitation of the social solidarity theory?
Critics argue schools are ethnocentric, pushing dominant (often white, middle-class) norms, not diverse ones.
F: What are specialist skills and who defined this?
Durkheim: Education teaches skills needed for the economy and workforce.
F: What is an example of specialist skills in today’s society?
STEM subjects taught to meet labour markets demands; vocational couses.
F: What is a limitation of the specialist skills theory?
Not all students leave school with employable skills — there’s a mismatch between what’s taught and job market needs; NEETS (not in education, employment, or training)
F: What is role allocation and who defined it?
Parsons/Davis and Moore: Education sorts people into roles via exams and meritocracy.
F: What is an example of role allocation in today’s society?
University places and apprenticeships are allocated based on academic performance.
F: What is a limitation of the role allocation theory?
Research shows outcomes are strongly linked to class, gender and ethnicity — not merit.
F: How is the role of education to be a bridge between home and society?
School acts as a ‘bridge’ where children learn universalistic values (rules that apply to everyone).
F: What is an example of the bridge between home and society in today’s society?
Learning to follow school rules, obey teachers, submit to discipline.
F: What is a limitation of the bridge between home and society theory?
Some argue this alienates working-class students who are used to particularistic (family-based) values.
M: What is the theory of the ideological state apparatus, and who came up with it?
Althusser: Education spreads ruling class ideology and legitimises inequality.
M: What is an example of education being an ISA?
Hidden curriculum teaches acceptance of hierarchy (teacher authority = boss authority).
M: What is a limitation of the view that education is an ISA?
Some students resist (e.g., anti-school subcultures), suggesting the system isn’t always effective.
M: What is the correspondence principle and who defined it?
Bowles and Gintis: School mirrors the workplace – creates obedient workers
M: What is an example of the correspondence principle?
Following timetables, dress codes, and respecting hierarchy
M: What is a limitation of the correspondence principle?
Critics argue modern workplaces value creativity and collaboration — not all jobs need obedience.
NR: What is the view of marketisation and standards and who put it forward?
Chubb and Moe: Schools should be run like businesses to raise standards via competition and parental choice.
NR: An example of standards and marketisation in schools?
League tables, Ofsted inspections, school clubs
NR: What is a limitation of marketisation and standards?
Critics say this benefits middle-class families who can ‘play the system’ (e.g., move house for catchment areas).
Fem: How does school reinforce the patriarchy?
Schools socialise students into traditional gender roles
Fem: Give examples of how the education system reinforces stereotypes
Girls encouraged into caring subjects (e.g., Health & Social Care), boys into STEM.
Fem: What are the limitations of the theory of reinforcements of gender in education?
Policies like GIST/WISE and gender-neutral curricula
