Class Differences In Education : External Flashcards
What does the research state about class differences in education ?
W/C students consistently underachieve compared to M/C students
W/C students underachieve a considerable amount compared to M/C students
Education is not a level playing field (meritocracy) for W/C and M/C students
How does language affect W/C and M/C achievement in education ?
The language used at home impacts children’s intellectual development
More complex and challenging language help children consolidate their understanding whereas basic language fails to do the same
Cultural deprivation theorists believe that M/C families are most likely to use the former and W/C use the latter
What does Bernstein say ?
Speech codes are what leads to differences in educational achievement between working class and middle class
The restricted code is used by W/C students and contains grammatical errors , simple short sentences and is description based
The elaborated code is used by M/C students and contains wider vocabulary , more complex sentences , and is analytical
What are some criticisms of Bernsteins view on educational achievement ?
Not all people with restricted codes fail
Shouldn’t schools take some responsibility for not teaching EC properly - it’s not all families faults
Sometimes RC is good - used in humour
What does Douglas state about parents educations effect on the achievement of students ?
M/C parents are more likely to have achieved better in education and have higher qualifications
Parenting style - middle class parents are more likely to emphasise discipline and higher expectations
Parents educational behaviour - middle class parents are more likely to read to their children , help with their homework, and attend events such as parent evening
More income - middle class parents earn more because of their education qualifications , and higher income correlates to high educational achievement for their children
Use of income - middle class parents are more likely to their incomes in ways to benefit their children in education
What are some criticisms of Douglas’ view ?
Working class parents can also have high expectations for their children and more discipline - middle class parents may be laid back
Working class parents have other pressures on them so their at a disadvantage - middle class parents may be busy with work life
Working class parents can earn the same amount and use it in the same way.
What was Sugarman’s views on class differences on education ?
He argues that W/C students form W/C subcultures outside of school which contain 3 main factors that contribute to their underachievement :
Immediate gratification
Fatalism : believing that no matter what they do they won’t achieve anything
Low value on education : instead valuing others
What do material deprivation theorists say about class differences in education ?
W/C may be bullied for lacking new uniform or stationary
Students may find it more difficult concentrating in lessons
How does housing affect students education ?
W/C households are more likely to be:
More crowded
Colder due to poorer insulation and less money for heating - more absences due to illness
Less-settled due to renting and moving a lot
How does financial support and cost of education affect students in education ?
Lack of enriching experiences - this means they can’t enhance their educational achievement
Children will receive hand-me-downs
Children have to work
How does the fear of debt affect children in education ?
University - W/C students have a fear of going to uni due to the tuition fees that cause debt they may struggle with
Callander + Jackson found different attitudes towards debt
What are general criticisms of material deprivation ?
They ignore the importance of culture
Ignores external factors
Government assist people that need support
What are Bourdieu’s vies on cultural capital ?
He highlights that actually, material and cultural deprivation are not separate. He recognises how both are interlinked. He refers to this being the knowledge , values , attitudes , languages + abilities of the M/C.
He argues that through M/C socialisation their experience when they are young allows them to acquire the ability to grasp , analyse and explain abstract ideas. They are more likely to develop intellectual interests and what the education system requires for success.
What are his views on economic + educational capital ?
M/C children with more cultural capital can convert it into educational capital which favours the curriculum they are provided with, which ensures they get good qualifications. Parents with lots of economic capital can convert it into educational capital for their children because they can provide them with experiences and interests which support their value on education and achievement in education.
What does Sullivan find about cultural capital ?
She executed a test based off of Bourdieu’s ideas. Her questionnaire was used on 65 students from multiple classes and schools. This was to assess their cultural capital by asking them questions such as what hobbies they do and what TV they watch. She found that those who read complex fiction and watch complex TV documentaries acquired more cultural capital since they gained wider knowledge and a greater understanding of culture. However, she found that although some students had the same cultural capital some still performed better then others. She then concluded that this was because the greater resources and aspirations of M/C families explains the reminder of the class gap in achievement
