CLASS DIFFERENCES IN ACHIVEMENT- EXTERNAL FACTORS

Question 1

what does middle class mean?

Answer 1

non manual occupations/professionals such as doctors and teachers.

Question 2

what does working class mean?

Answer 2

Manual occupations including skilled workers such as plumbers and lorry drivers

Question 3

What is cultural deprivation?

Answer 3

The theory that working class children lack “cultural equipment” in order to succeed, such as language, self discipline and reasoning skills.

Question 4

what do cultural deprivation theorists argue about Working class families

Answer 4

they argue that WC families fail to socialise their children adequately.

Question 5

what are the three main aspects of cultural deprivation

Answer 5

there are three main aspects language, patients education and subculture.

Question 6

what do Bereiter and Engelman suggest about language in lower class homes

Answer 6

language used in lower class home deficient (gestures, single words, disjointed phrases). As a result, children grow up unable to explain or compare.

Question 7

what does Bernstein suggest about language

Answer 7

There are two types of speech code:

Restricted code: working class, limited vocab, short, unfinished, description, simple sentences ; context bound 
Elaborated code: middle class wider vocabular complex sentences

Question 8

who cultural deprivation theorists believe lack stimulation and enriching experiences.

Answer 8

CD theorists argue that many children from low-income black families lack intellectual stimulation and enriching experiences. This leaved them poorly equipped for school because they have not been able to develop reasoning and problem solving skills.

Question 9

how does speech codes affect education?

Answer 9

The elaborated code is used by teachers/books and taken as a “correct” way to speak

Expressing thoughts clearly is essential in education

Middle class pupil are already fluent for school

Working class pupil likely to fell excluded

Question 10

evaluation for language ?

Answer 10

• limitation:

Bernstein: assumes all middle classes speak in elaborated code which isn’t true.

Fails to recognise the diversity of speech.

provided little evidence to back up his case.

Labov: WC speech codes aren’t inferior they are just complex but differ from MC speech

• strength: however Bernstein recognises how both home and school fails WC pupils
• wc pupils don’t achieve due to how teachers perceive them rather than speech codes

Question 11

what did Douglas find about parents education?

Answer 11

Douglas found that WC parents placed less value on education. They were less ambitious, gave less encouragement and less likely to go to parents evening.

educated parents were more invested in their child’s education because they are more aware of their children’s progress, get expert advice, better relationship with teachers. Recognise educational visits.

Middle Class have consistent discipline, high expectations then encourage learning. working class discipline is harsh and inconsistent “do as you’re told” , leading to poorer motivation.

Question 12

How does speech code link to educational success

Answer 12

If a child uses restricted code they are more likely to fail to develop the necessary language skills

Question 13

What does subculture mean

Answer 13

A group whose attitudes and values differ those mainstream culture

Question 14

what features does sugarman believe act as a barrier to educational achievement

Answer 14

fatalism
collectivism
immediate gratification.

Question 15

what is fatalism?

Answer 15

belief in fate- nothing you can do to change your status

Question 16

what is collectivism?

Answer 16

valuing being part of a group rather than on your own.

Question 17

what is immediate gratification?

Answer 17

seeking pleasure now rather than waiting for a reward

Question 18

how does Sugarman’s theory link to success?

Answer 18

Working class children internalise these values. Parents pass on their values to their children through primary socialisation. Working class jobs are less secure and less promotions

Question 19

what is material deprivation?

Answer 19

poverty and lack of material resources

Question 20

how is poverty closely linked to underachievement ?

Answer 20

• 1/3 of FSM pupils achieve 5 A-C at GCSE.
• those in poverty are more likely to have poor attendance.
• More likely to be excluded
• 90% of failing schools in deprivation.

Question 21

what are examples of material deprivation

Answer 21

housing and uni

Question 22

housing in terms of material deprivation?

Answer 22

• overcrowding makes it harder to study
• disturbed sleep from sharing a bedroom
• cold/damp environments cause ill health.

Question 23

uni in terms of material deprivation?

Answer 23

• less likely to have financial support from family
• fear of debt
• more costs than benefit
• attitude towards debt puts off students going to uni.
• increases in tuition fees saw a drop in WC application to universities

Question 24

evaluation points of material deprivation?

Answer 24

• limitations: the fact that some children from WC families DO achieve suggests material deprivations is only part of the problem,
• limitations: other factors may influential e.g. religious views
• strength: some argue that material inequalities have the biggest impact.

Question 25

what is compensatory education

Answer 25

Aim to tackle the problem of cultural deprivation by providing extra resources to schools and communities in deprived areas.

Question 26

what are examples of compensatory education?

Answer 26

operation head start

sesame street

Question 27

what does Keddie argue about cultural deprivation

Answer 27

Keddie argues that it is “myth” and sees it as as victim blaming explanation. She dismisses the idea that failure at school can be blamed an culturally deprived background

Question 28

what does Bourdieu argue

Answer 28

both cultural and material factors contribute to educational achievement and are not separate but interrelated. he uses the concept of “capital” to explain why the MC are more successful.
He argues that the MC generally possess more of all three types of capital

Question 29

what are the three types of capital

Answer 29

economic, educational and cultural

Question 30

what does capital mean?

Answer 30

wealth

Question 31

what is economic capital?

Answer 31

• MC can afford private school
• private tuition
• houses in good catchment areas

Question 32

what is educational capital?

Answer 32

-better school
-work the system”
advantages cultural and economical which enables them to succeed.

Question 33

what is cultural capital?

Answer 33

• MC more likely to grasp abstract ideas.
• more likely to develop intellectual interests
• understand the education system.
• school devalues wc culture as “rough” leads to exam failure

Question 34

what does Howard suggest about wc children

Answer 34

poorer kids have lower intakes of energy, vitamins and minerals . poor nutrition affects health e.g. weakening the immune system and lowering children’s energy levels. leads to more absences from school + difficulties concentrating.

Question 35

what did Douglas find about WC parents

Answer 35

placed less value on education, as a result they were less ambitious for their children, gave less encouragement and took less interest in there education. as a result their children had lower levels of motivation and achievement.

Question 36

what did Fernstein parents education?

Answer 36

parents own education is the most important factor affecting children’s achievement, MC parents tend to be better educated so they are able to give their children an advantage by how they socialise them.

Question 37

Evaluation for Bernstein’s speech codes

Answer 37

• He assumes all middle classes speak in elaborated code which isn’t true.
• Fails to recognise the diversity of speech.
• provided little evidence to back up his case.
• Labov: WC speech codes aren’t inferior they are just complex but differ from MC speech

Question 38

Evaluation for cultural deprivation

Answer 38

Keddie- myth victim blaming
Parents work long hours so cannot attend parents evening
Put off by the mc atmosphere