new right + neoliberalism

• new right + neoliberalism

  • the state is too involved in deciding which schools we have
  • marketisation will solve by bringing more diversity, empowering consumers, help schools be more equipped in meeting needs of parents, students and employers
• chubb and moe 1990

  • argued the case for opening up the US state education to free the market

  education system failed because:

  • failed to create equal opportunities for disadvantaged groups
  • failed to provide students with skills needed by the economy
  • private schools provide better quality education as they’re accountable

  research found:

  • people from lower class families do 5% better in private schools

  solve by voucher based funding:

  • schools would attract customers by being responsive to parent’s wishes - this creates competition and place control in hands of consumers = parentocracy
• evaluation

  Gerwitz + Ball

  • only middle class benefit from competition
  • they can use their cultural and economic capital to gain entry to best schools

  Marxists

  • The idea of a shared single cultural heritage is wrong - the cultural norms and values are those of the ruling class
• evaluation

  • + the theory is influential - academisation of schools, academy chains, Michael's Goves introduction of free schools set up by parents + religious organisations were influenced by neoliberal and new right ideas
  • Social inequality is at the root of differential attainment between the classes, not state control of schools
  • There is no choice in the national curriculum - schools + teachers dispute this and students are restricted by it
• still wants the state to be involved by

  • league tables
  • ofsted reports
  • standard exams
• the function of education

  1. to promote competition to achieve higher levels of attainment
  2. to breed a qualified and useful workforce through higher attainment levels to create a good economy