Theories of the role of education

• Functionalists 


  Believe education is based on meritocracy - everyone has a equality of opportunity
• Functionalists believe the hidden curriculum


  Plays a positive role as it readys students for work
• Parson Theory on education


  Schools take over the socialisation process from the family. Schools act like a bridge between the family and wider society/workplace
• Davis and Moore Theory-education


  Role Allocation Theory- Schools select and associate pupils into their future work roles. Schools assess pupils abilities and match them to the job/role they are best suited to.
• Marxist View On Education


  The Myth of Meritocracy- Schools are rigged to benefit the middle and upper class at the expense of the working class
• Marxists believe the hidden curriculum 


  Plays a negative role as it socialises pupils into accepting the role assigned to them by the capitalist class.
• Bowles and Gintis


  Correspondence Principle-The schools correspond to the needs of capitalism and the workplaces
• Bourdieu Theory on Education


  Cultural Capital - Middle class have it and working class don't have it because they do not know how schools worek
• Willis Theory on education


  Working class resistance-claimed that 'the lads' had formed an anti-school subculture. They rejected school and all its values and instead focussed on the day they would eventually be allowed to leave. They formed their own set of values opposed to those of the school.
• Feminist View on education


  Education system maintains and justifies gender inequality. Schools run in favour of men and work to reflect patriarchal societies
• Francis Theory on Education


  Boys dominate the classroom and attract more attention. Boys dominate playing areas , occupy space with football, other ball games and fast paced physical activities
• Sue Lees Theory on education


  School is a key place where patriarchy and sexuality control begins. Sexual double standards-boys , stud, lad girls, slag, slut .