1.2 The new right in education

• Neo liberalism

  Economic policy- marketisation & privatisation
• Neo conservatism


  Social policy- want families to be traditional
• What is the new right view on education?

  Education isn't interested in promoting equality, but getting the most able into the most important jobs. The best way to do this is by running schools as private businesses (marketisation). They think that competition will drive up standards & make education better VFM for taxpayers
• Who do the new right agree with on education?

  They believe that people need to meet their own needs rather than society. They agree with many of the functionalist views on education but don't think the education system is achieving these goals
• Define marketisation

  If we put more competition into the system & the laws of supply and demand will empower the consumer (parents) they believe this will bring greater diversity, efficiency & choice to schools which will meet the needs of the pupils, parents & employers
• What do the new right believe is the role of the state in education?

  The state ensures that schools transmit shared culture through its national curriculum
• What do neo liberalists think the state should do?

  They shouldn't provide institutions such as education & healthcare and these should be privatised
• What do neo liberalists think doing things for profit creates?

  A better service
• What do neo liberalists think marketisation will dive up?

  Competition and therefore standards
• What is tescoification?

  Comparing educational establishments to supermarkets- competing for customers
• Why do the new right want to drive up standards?

  So its better value for money for the taxpayer
• What are OFSTED and league tables important for?


  Competition
• What three ways has American state education failed?

  1. Disadvantaged groups do not have equal opportunity2. State education fails to provide pupils with skills needed for economy3. Private schools produce better education as they are answerable to paying customers
• What did Chubb and Moe do?

  Compared achievements of 60,000 low income pupils in 1015 state and private high schools. Also did a parent study and used case studies of failing schools being 'turned around'.
• What were Chubb and Moe's findings?

  Pupils from low income families did consistently 5% better in private compared to state schools.
• What did Chubb and Moe believe was the solution to their findings?

  Schools should only receive funding if they are doing well. Instead, families should be given a voucher with which they can purchase an education from the school of their choice.