the role of education Flashcards
(50 cards)
functionalism
a consensus(general agreement) approach
neoliberalism and new right.
a conservative, free market approach
marxsim
a class conflict approach
two main functions of education
creating social solidarity and teaching specialist skills
Durkheim (functionalist)
argue that society needs a sense of solidarity. He argues that without social solidarity cooperation would be impossible without it.
social solidarity
individual members must feel themselves to be part of community
how did the educational system create social solidarity
transmitting society’s culture- its shared beliefs and values from one generation to the next
what does school act as
“society in miniature”-preparing us for life in wider society
parsons (functionalist)
parsons draws on many of Durkheim’s ideas. Parsons sees school as “the focal learning agency” in modern society.
the focal learning agency
bridge between the family and wider society
why is the bridge between family and wider society needed
family and society operate on different principles, so children need to learn a way of living if they cope with the wider world
within the family how is the child judged
the child is judged by pluralistic standards; that is, rules that apply only to that particular child.
what is ascribed
fixed at birth for example, an elder son and a younger daughter may be given different rights or duties because of differences in age and gender.
Davis and Moore 1945 (functionalist)
see education as a device for selection and role allocation. they focus on the relationship between education and social inequality. they argue that inequality is necessary to ensure the most important roles in society are filled by the most talented people.
Evolution of functionalist perspective
- the education system doesn’t teach specialist skills adequately, as Durkheim claims.
- functionalists see education as a process that instils the shared values of society as a whole, but Marxists argue that education in capitalist society only transmits the ideology of a minority.
what does education act as?
a sieve which shifts and sorts jobs best suited to their ability.
society in miniature
school acts in this way to prepare us for the future
pluralistic standards
rules that apply to that one child it is ascribed- fixed
universalistic standards
not compared to everyone else or judged by a clear measure of achievement.
meritocracy
that individuals should achieve their status in life through their own efforts and abilities, rather than it being ascribed at birth by their class background
what do new right and neoliberals argue
argue that the state should not provide services such as education and health . they believe in competition. their central belief is that the state cannot meet peoples needs so there should be a new market.
new right and functionalism similarities
Both believe some people are more naturally talented
favour the education system running on meritocratic principles
believe the education system should be competition
new right and functionalism differences
don’t believe the current education system is achieving these goals this is because is still run by the state
state systems take “one size fits all” approach, imposing uniformity and disregarding local needs
schools need to marketized
why do Chubb and Moe (1990) argue that state schools have failed
- failed the needs of disadvantaged groups
- does not produce skills needed for the economy
- private schools perform better because they are funded by parents and therefore answerable
