Education Policy

• What is the main purpose of education policy?

  To guide and regulate education systems
• Who makes education policy?

  The government
• Name an example of an education policy.

  The Education Reform Act (1988)
• What is the process for a policy to become law?

  A Bill must be passed in Parliament
• What are the main aims of education policy?

  • Selection of students
  • Organisation of the curriculum
  • Promoting equality
  • Raising standards
  • Increasing competition
  • Funding allocation
• What perspectives influenced education policy from 1945-1979?

  Social Democratic perspective
• What perspectives influenced education policy after 1979?

  Neo-Liberal/New Right perspective
• What was introduced by the Butler Education Act in 1944?

  Selection by ability
• What was the aim of the Butler Education Act?

  To offer free secondary education to all
• What types of schools were introduced by the tripartite system?

  Grammar, secondary modern, and technical schools
• What was the belief about ability during the Butler Education Act?

  Ability was thought to be fixed
• What was a major problem with the selection by ability system?

  Only 15-20% passed the 11+ exam
• What did research in the 1960s reveal about secondary schools?

  Talent and ability were being wasted
• What system replaced the selection by ability in the 1970s?

  Comprehensive Education
• What did the Comprehensive System abolish?

  Selection at age 11 and the 11+ exam
• What was a criticism of comprehensive schools?

  Some schools 'cherry pick' students
• How does selection by mortgage affect education?

  It raises house prices near good schools
• What is a consequence of streaming and setting in schools?

  It undermines equal opportunities
• What was the aim of the Education Reform Act (ERA) of 1988?

  To increase competition in education
• What did the ERA promote regarding parental choice?

  Parents should have more choice in education
• What was a criticism of the ERA regarding testing?

  It led to teaching to the tests
• What is 'formula funding' in education?

  A system of fair school funding
• What is 'parentocracy'?

  A system where education depends on parents' wealth
• How does marketisation aim to raise educational standards?

  By allowing parental choice among schools
• What are the four building blocks of school funding?

  Per-pupil, additional needs, school-led, geographic
• What did Gewirtz's study reveal about parental choice?

  It benefits middle-class parents more
• What are the types of parents identified by Gewirtz?

  1. Privileged-skilled choosers
  2. Disconnected-local choosers
  3. Semi-skilled choosers
• What is a criticism of marketisation in education?

  It has led to a two-tier education system
• What are the four building blocks for setting school budgets?

  Per-pupil funding, additional needs funding, school-led funding, geographic funding
• How does Gewirtz's study relate to parental choice in education?

  It shows middle-class parents benefit from choice
• What are the three main types of parents identified by Gewirtz?

  Privileged-skilled choosers, disconnected-local choosers, semi-skilled choosers
• What are the features of the three types of parents identified by Gewirtz?

  • Privileged-skilled choosers: High economic and cultural capital, informed choices
  • Disconnected-local choosers: Limited knowledge, less engagement with schools
  • Semi-skilled choosers: Ambitious but lack resources, struggle with choices
• What is a criticism of the marketisation of education?

  It has led to a two-tier education system
• What do cream-skimming and silt-shifting refer to in education?

  Cream-skimming selects the best students, silt-shifting removes the worst
• How do league tables facilitate cream-skimming and silt-shifting?

  They highlight schools' performance, influencing student selection
• What is the impact of formula funding on schools?

  It creates disparities between schools
• What did Ball et al (1996) argue about parental choice in education?

  It follows a pattern related to social class differences
• What did Whitty et al (1998) find about advantaged schools and parents?

  They tend to gravitate towards each other
• What is educational triage?

  Focusing on students most likely to succeed
• What challenges do underperforming schools face?

  Difficulty attracting students, especially middle-class