Feminists, NR, & Postmodernists

• What are the three main roles of education according to the New Right perspective?

  Socialisation, allocation, and vocational training roles
• What is the purpose of the socialisation role in education according to the New Right?

  To socialise individuals into shared norms and values and create a national identity
• How does the allocation role function in the New Right perspective?

  It allocates individuals into jobs based on merit
• What is the vocational training role in education according to the New Right?

  It equips people with vocational skills for the world of work
• What do the New Right argue about the current functioning of education?

  They argue that education is not functioning as well as it should due to low standards and inefficiency
• What do the New Right believe should be the government's role in education?

  To reduce involvement to overseeing the curriculum and driving up standards
• What significant educational policy has the New Right influenced in the last 30 years?

  The creation of a National Curriculum
• What is the purpose of marketisation policies according to the New Right?


  To create a climate of competition and choice for parents
• What do Chubb & Moe (1990) propose for state schools?

  They propose introducing a voucher system to expose state schools to market forces
• What is a contradiction in New Right thinking regarding government intervention in education?

  They wish to limit government intervention but favor regular government inspections
• How do postmodernists view the role of schools in society?

  They argue that schools meet the needs of a diverse and fragmented society
• What are the three main roles of education according to postmodernists?

  Socialisation, allocation, and vocational training roles
• How do postmodernists view the allocation role of education?

  They argue it does not always allocate individuals based on merit
• What has postmodernist thinking influenced in government policy over the last 25 years?


  Creating more diversity in types of schools
• What do feminists argue about the allocation role in education?

  They argue it is based on gender rather than merit
• What do feminists criticize about vocational training courses?

  They argue these courses reproduce gender inequality
• What policies have feminists influenced to encourage female participation in certain fields?

  Policies such as WISE and GIST
• What is a criticism feminists have regarding the education system's treatment of males?

  Many feminists disregard how the education system disadvantages males
• What do functionalist and Marxist explanations highlight about education?

  They highlight the links between the education system and the economy
• What do postmodernists argue about the understanding of education's role?

  They argue that no single approach can provide a total understanding of education
• What are the three main roles of education according to the New Right perspective?

  • Socialisation role: Socialises individuals into shared norms and values
  • Allocation role: Allocates individuals into jobs based on merit
  • Vocational training role: Equips people with vocational skills for the world of work
• What are the criticisms of the New Right perspective on education?

  • Contradictory views on government intervention
  • Inefficiency due to too much government involvement
  • Low standards in education
• What are the three main roles of education according to postmodernists?

  • Socialisation role: Socialises individuals into a diverse multicultural society
  • Allocation role: Allocates individuals into jobs, not always based on merit
  • Vocational training role: Equips individuals for a postmodern economy
• What are the criticisms of postmodernist perspectives on education?

  • Underplay the significance of social class
  • Education system still reproduces and legitimates class inequality
• What are the three main roles of education according to feminists?

  • Socialisation role: Socialises students into gender identities
  • Allocation role: Allocation based on gender, not merit
  • Vocational training role: Reproduces gender inequality in vocational courses
• What are the weaknesses of feminist perspectives on education?

  • Disregard for how education disadvantages males
  • Overemphasis on gender inequalities
• What is the significance of the further reading materials listed?

  • They provide additional insights and context for understanding sociology and education
  • They are recommended for deeper exploration of the topics discussed
• What are the sample AS and A Level questions provided for exam preparation?

  • Define terms, explain concepts, outline criticisms, and evaluate views on education
  • Designed to assess understanding of sociological perspectives on education