MARXISM

• what is the Marxists function of education 


  to reproduce the inequalities of a capitalist society and to justify these inequalities through the myth of meritocracy
• Marxism views 


  they believe that the main function of education is to socialise children into their class positions.

  this means that making sure the working class don't realise how unfair the system and how the education system reinforces inequalities

  schools prepares working class students for boring and repetitive jobs whilst middle class are encouraged to aspire high levels of education
• what do Marxists believe about meritocracy 


  its a myth
• Althusser 


  he says that education is part of an ideological state apparatus this is when we are controlled by our ideas

  schools spread the bourgeoise ideology and ensure that the proletariat is in a state of false class consciousness which is were students are led to believe that the system is fair

  this means that schools prepare working class students to accept a life of exploitation
• Bowles and Gintis 


  They argue that there is a close correspondence between what goes on at school and what goes on in the world of work

  They believe that the hidden curriculum ensures that there is a hard working obedient and highly motivated workforce

  for example the hidden curriculum encourages acceptance of hierarchy, teachers give orders the students obey

  Bowles and Gintis do not believe schools are meritocratic. They believe class is the most important factor influencing levels of attainment
• Evaluation of Bowles and Gintis 


  They exaggerated correspondence principle between education and the work place

  they have been criticised for ignoring the role of the formal curriculum

  it’s suggested that schools don’t actually prepare students for the modern workplace
• Marxists believe that the main function is to socialise children into their class positions
• Bordieu

  Cultural Capital

  • educational attainment directly related to the amount of cultural capital a pupil possess
• Evaluation of marxist views

  • ignores gender and ethncity
  • deterministic ( not all working class are in lower sets