Statistics

• What type of data does the government collect regarding educational achievement?

  Data about educational achievement
• Why is social class difficult to operationalise in educational data?

  There is disagreement about how classes should be defined and measured
• How is eligibility for free school meals (FSM) determined?

  It is means tested based on household income
• What does the achievement gap between those eligible for FSM and the rest indicate?

  There is a significant achievement gap in education
• What has been the consistent achievement gap at GCSE level for the last decade?

  Between 26 and 28%
• What percentage of pupils not eligible for FSM achieved 5 GCSEs at A*-C in 2014/15?

  60%
• What percentage of pupils eligible for FSM achieved 5 GCSEs at A*-C in 2014/15?

  33%
• How do higher-income households impact GCSE achievement compared to lower-income households?

  Higher-income households are more likely to take challenging subjects
• What has been suggested about the figures regarding achievement gaps?

  They might understate the differential achievement
• What do some studies suggest about progress in narrowing the achievement gap?

  Some progress is being made, but it is complex
• What is currently the biggest determinant of educational outcomes in the UK?

  Social class
• What is one unpopular view among sociologists regarding educational achievement?

  That intelligence is inherited genetically
• What does the nature vs. nurture debate in education focus on?

  Whether intelligence is inherited or influenced by environment
• What did Jensen argue about intelligence?

  That 80% of intelligence was genetic
• What criticism exists regarding IQ tests?

  They may not reliably measure intelligence
• How can practice affect IQ test scores?

  Practice can improve scores without increasing actual intelligence
• What alternative argument exists regarding the impact of nature on IQ?

  Material circumstances and environment can impact IQ
• What did Douglas (1964) demonstrate about middle-class and working-class children?

  A middle-class child of average intelligence is more likely to pass the 11+ exam
• What was the purpose of the 11+ exam?

  To determine which secondary school children attended
• What are the two main factors sociologists consider when explaining educational achievement differences?

  • In-school (internal) factors
  • Out-of-school (external) factors
• What are the two types of explanations sociologists look at regarding educational achievement differences?

  • Material explanations: Differences due to financial resources
  • Cultural explanations: Differences due to attitudes or values