Sociologists

• What is the concept of Setting in education?

  Setting refers to the practice of streaming students based on their ability in each subject.
• How does streaming differ from setting in education?

  Streaming involves grouping all subjects together for students, while setting allows for different groups in each subject.
• What is meant by mixed ability classes?


  Mixed ability classes include students of higher, middle, and lower abilities all in one class.
• What is the approach to labeling in mixed ability classes?


  There is no labeling in mixed ability classes, and everyone is taught the same material.
• What are "light bulb moments" in the context of education?

  Light bulb moments refer to instances when students suddenly understand a concept or idea.
• What are the potential drawbacks of high ability students being held back in a mixed ability setting?


  High ability students may lose interest if they are held back in a mixed ability class.
• What challenges do lower ability students face in mixed ability classes?


  Lower ability students may struggle to keep up and feel embarrassed in mixed ability classes.
• What are the positive and negative aspects of setting and streaming in education?

  Positive:

  • High ability students can work at a faster pace and get stretched.
  • Lower ability students receive more support.

  
  

  Negative:

  • There is a stigma associated with lower ability groups.
  • Lower ability students may have low expectations.
• What is the purpose of league tables in education?


  League tables help parents choose schools and increase pressure on schools to improve exam results.
• How do league tables affect school focus and parental choice?


  League tables lead schools to focus on high ability students to improve their rankings, benefiting middle-class parents.
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of league tables in education?


  Advantages:

  • Push schools to maintain high standards.
  • Help parents choose good schools.

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Focus only on academic achievement.
  • Contribute to property price inflation in certain areas.
• What is the role of schools according to Parsons' functionalist perspective?


  Schools act as a bridge between family and society, serving as the main agency of socialization.
• What is the main function of schools according to Durkheim?


  Durkheim believed schools transmit societal norms and values.
• How do schools promote self-discipline according to Durkheim?


  Schools promote self-discipline by enforcing strict rules that students must follow.
• What is the concept of marketization in education?


  Marketization refers to schools promoting themselves to attract students.
• How does marketization benefit middle-class families?


  Marketization benefits middle-class families by giving them more choices regarding their children's education.
• What is the "cream skimming" process in education?


  Cream skimming refers to schools selecting the best students to improve their league table rankings.
• What did Willis' research reveal about boys' attitudes towards school?


  Willis found that boys developed an anti-school culture and avoided lessons.
• What is Bowles and Gintis' correspondence principle?


  The correspondence principle states that schools prepare students for the workforce by mirroring the hierarchical structure of jobs.
• How do Bowles and Gintis view the relationship between education and social class?


  Bowles and Gintis argue that education is based on social class rather than meritocracy.
• What do Bowles and Gintis suggest about job preparation in schools?


  They suggest that schools prepare students for jobs that are based on authority rather than talent.