Evaluation

• What has the Marxist theory of education been criticized by?

  Neo-Marxism, Social democracy, New Right
• What do Neo-Marxists like Willis argue about schools?

  Schools reproduce class inequalities
• What did Willis study in his research?

  A group of 12 working-class boys
• What was the outcome of Willis's study on the boys' education?

  They ended up in manual or unskilled jobs
• Why did the boys in Willis's study reject academic work?

  They saw education as irrelevant to their future
• What do Social democrats believe about the education system?

  It works in the interest of the capitalist class
• How do Social democrats differ from Marxists regarding capitalism's impact?

  They believe it is less powerful than claimed
• Who are the authors mentioned that support the Social democratic perspective?

  Hall, Plowden, and Martin
• What do New Right thinkers argue about academic success?

  It is determined by individual differences
• What does Saunders (1996) claim about middle-class children?

  They have genetic advantages in intelligence
• What do Neo-liberals argue about state interventions in education?

  They fuel inequalities rather than reduce them
• Who are the authors associated with the Neo-liberal perspective?

  Chubb and Moe (1990)
• What do postmodernists argue about modern schools?

  They negotiate diversity rather than inequality
• How do Morrow and Torres (1998) view student identity construction?

  Students actively construct their own identities
• What characterizes postmodern societies according to the text?

  Individualisation and freedom of choice
• Why do Marxists exaggerate the influence of social class on student identity?

  They overlook other influencing factors
• What was reported about British schools in 2016?

  They cope with increasing trans students
• What are the main criticisms of the Marxist theory of education?

  • Neo-Marxism: Schools reproduce class inequalities
  • Social democracy: Capitalism's impact is overstated
  • New Right: Individual differences determine success
  • Neo-liberals: State interventions fuel inequalities
  • Postmodernism: Focus on diversity over inequality
• What are the key perspectives critiquing Marxist education theory?

  1. Neo-Marxism
  2. Social democracy
  3. New Right
  4. Neo-liberalism
  5. Postmodernism
• What factors do postmodernists believe influence student identity?

  • Gender
  • Sexuality
  • Ethnicity
  • Religion
  • Individual choices