EDUCATION

• What is the functionalist perspective?

  Durkheim- The main function of education is socialisation teaching children the norms and values of society. For example by following school rules children are taught right from worn
• what is the functionalist perspective (parsons)?

  The education system is meritocratic and children are successful due to effort not background. Education acts like a sieve and the most able are given the best grades and therefore have the most important, well paid jobs.
• The overall functionalist perspective?

  -Education facilitates social mobility: gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds can achieve qualifications and move up to a higher social class

  -Social cohesion: Schools help reinforce the social values that unite different people in society

  -Education serves the needs of the economy (knowledge and skills needed for work)
• What is the overall Marxist perspective?

  Education serves the interests of the ruling class

  Myth of meritocracy: ruling class are given advantages

  Reproduces class structure: Bourgeoisie are more likely to leave school with better qualifications and jobs

  Negative secondary socialisation: Children learn to accept hierarchy and obey rules which prepare them to accept their role in a capitalist society
• Bowles and Gintis perspective?

  The correspondence principle: Education trains children through the hidden curriculum and teaches children to accept life in a capitalist society which prevents rebellions
• Examples of the hidden curriculum?

  . uniforms

  . strict time keeping

  . hierarchy

  . rewards

  . punishments
• What is Balls study on parental choice?

  . Publication of league tables increased competition between schools

  . Middle class parents have an advantage because they can afford to pay to move houses in order to be in good schools catchment
• What is Halseys research?

  . Researched educational destinations of school children

  . Conducted a large study dividing people based on their fathers occupation
• What were the three groups halsey divided the children into and the results?

  . Service class (doctors) , Intermediate class (office workers) , Working class (labourers)

  . Service class children did much better at school

  . However, intermediate class achieved more than working class students
• What are the factors affecting educational achievement?

  1. economic: Students from affluent backgrounds usually have more facilities to help them study (tutors) and often live in the catchment of good schools
  2. Parental values: Parents from middle classes often value education more and help their children to do well
  3. Cultural capital: Middle class parents often have the knowledge and skills to be able to help their children with school work
• Gender and education?

  gendered curriculum- hidden curriculum encourages the perception of masculine and feminine subjects

  Changes to women's rights - Gender discrimination in schools is illegal and the rise in feminism means women are now more financially independent

  Anti school subculture in boys: Peer pressure amongst boys encourage them to see education as uncool
• Ethnicity and education?


  Home factors:

  Students from minority ethnic groups are more likely to experience material deprivation

  Some ethnic minority parents are more likely to value education (Chinese)

  Cultural capital - Minority parents have less knowledge to help their children
• Ethnicity and education?


  School factors

  Ethnocentric curriculum- Formal curriculum is based towards white, european culture

  Hidden curriculum- emphasises white mainstream values and norms

  Institutional racism - policies and procedures result in discrimination (high rate of exclusions in black Caribbean boys)