Marxism- the role of education in society

• The main role of education is to maintain capitalism and reproduce social inequality
• Private education- Althusser- reproduction of social inequality


  Prepares children of the elite for positions of power
• Hidden Curriculum- Althusser-reproduction of social inequality


  Is shaped to assist M/C achievement and deter W/C achievement
• Hidden Curriculum- myth of meritocracy


  Lowers working class ambitions
• A03- new right 


  Chubb and Moe argue that the Marxists fail to see how education has failed all social groups not just the working class. They believe that education has failed to equip all students with the skills needed to be successful in the global market place.
• A03- post modernism


  Marxists fail to acknowledge that education actually reproduces diversity rather than inequality. Morrow and Torres claim the students create their own identities rather than being constrained by traditional structures like class. In postmodern societies students are able to make their own choices about their identity e.g. increasing numbers of trans students.
• A03 social democratic


  Halsey Floud and Martin suggest that Marxists exaggerate the effect the education has on working class achievement. They point out that govt policies such as comprehensivisation have improved the chances of the working class.