functionalism in education

• functionalists believe that education provides social solidarity; cohesion between people to create order and stability
• teaches necessary skills for work
• believes in role allocation and meritocracy which reinforces the interdependence in society
• creates social cohesion and a sense of belonging to a group, community or nation
• Durkheim argued that 'school was society in miniature'
• allowed for a more productive workforce through the division of labour through vocational subjects
• talcott parsons argued that education acts as a focal socialising agency for children
• in school, children are held to universalistic standards (working world) and at home, judged by particularistic values
• role allocation makes sure that those with the highest grades and qualifications have the best jobs with the highest pay
• fcc makes education appear to be fair through equal opportunity
• meritocracy gives the idea that success is based on attitude, effort and ability
• believe education improves wider society and the economy
• wealthier students continue to get better results year on year
• the disadvantage gap increased over lockdown, suggesting that schools did help to close the gap
• too ideological of a view
• ignores how some children are harmed by the education system
• contemporary evidence shows a shift to Ebbac - teaching more general subjects creating greater value consensus (pupils will think more similarly)
• Ebacc provides less variety of subjects for those who do not succeed well in academic education
• Ebacc increases the reproduction of class inequality as it doesn't Gove equal opportunities of sucess
• Brexit had no meaningful value consensus as the population was clearly divided
• graduates form university will have 20% higher rate of employment that those without a degree
• graduates are 3x more likely to have a skilled profession
• the government has set up apprenticeship schemes to reduce graduate unemployment but they only make up 15% of all jobs available
• 25% of graduates can still find themselves in lower skilled jobs
• apprenticeships levy from the government to increase the amount of apprenticeships available
• lockdown saw a 36% decline in those from poorer backgrounds taking up apprenticeships
• apprenticeships create division of labour and a more efficient workforce
• only 13% of apprenticeships are degree level
• 63% of disadvantaged males successfully complete apprentiships
• apprenticeships are said to boost social mobility
• parity of esteem: suggests that vocational courses will also offer progression to higher education and equal outcome to those going through equal academic qualifications
• parity of esteem is not proved due to the fact that the highest ranking 24 Russell group universities in the UK do not accept aprentiships as part of entry requirements
• functionalists ignore social interactions between groups
• parsons describes school as a bridge between family values (particularistic) and the wider society (universalistic)