6ED Flashcards
How does social class affect educational achievement?
- The higher the class position the more likely you are to stay on into higher education
- There is a lot of evidence that shows that there is a strong relationship between social class and educational achievement
What does Harker say about housing and its affect in education?
- Poor overcrowded houses make it hard for children to study and shared bedrooms can result in disturbed sleep and concentration levels
- This can lead to higher levels of aggression and depression
What does Howard say about how diet affects educational achievement?
- People from poorer homes have lower intake of minerals and vitamins
- Poor nutrition gives lower energy and a weak immune system which can result difficulty concentrating and more absences off of school
What is the “hidden cost of free education”?
- Each child per year will need £1614 for school supplies, as of a 2013 study
- This includes, PE kit, class materials/stationary and school trips.
What does Tanner say about the cost of education?
- The cost of transport, uniform, stationary, sport and computers place a heavier burden on poorer families
What does Douglas say about the importance of parental interest?
- He said that working class parents were less likely to partake in educational activities with their children at home
What did Douglas say about middle class parents interest?
- They were more likely to attend parents evenings, to inquire about homework and more likely to give support and help
Criticism of Douglas on parental interest
- Blackstone and Mortimore: working class parents may not have flexible works hours to be able to attend parents evening and give support after school
- Working class parents may also feel uncomfortable going into school whereas middle class parents may not
What did Bernstein identify?
- Restricted and elaborated speech codes
What is the restricted speech codes?
- Shorthand or slang used in informal situations e.g. with friends or family
- Sentences are short and lack detail
What is elaborated speech codes?
- Can be used context free
- Spoke in full and detailed sentences
What did Bernstein say about the relationship between speech codes and social class?
- Most middle class children will have been socialised into both elaborated and restricted speech and will be fluent in each
- Working class children are limited to restricted speech codes
Why do working class children underachieve due to speech codes, according to Bernstein?
- Teachers use elaborated speech codes which disadvantage working class
- They are less likely to understand what is being said and will be more likely to be criticised for what they say
Criticism of Bernstein speech codes
- Some say that Bernstein is blaming the working class parents and their speech codes for their child’s underachievement
What did Bourdieu say the cultural capital was?
- The knowledge, attitudes, values, language and abilities of the middle class
