Differential educational achievement: Class (external factors)

Question 1

Speech codes (Bernstein)

Answer 1

w/c - restricted code - simple grammar, limited vocabulary and gestures
M/c - elaborate code - complex grammar, fuller sentences and more abstract ideas

Question 2

Who is at an advantage?

Answer 2

M/c students - schools, teachers, textbooks and exams all use elaborate code

Question 3

Parental attitudes (Douglas)

Answer 3

W/c parents place less value on education and therefore are less likely to push their children academically and visit school less (parents evening) and as a result the children will place lower levels of motivation and achievement on education.

Feinstein - m/c parents socialize their children differently in particular terms of parenting style where m/c parents are more consistent in terms of discipline and educational behaviours

Question 4

Working class subcultures (Sugarman)

Answer 4

The w/c have a different culture to the m/c which is a barrier to educational achievement
- Fatalism
- Collectivism
- Immediate gratification
- Present time orientation
Leads to underachievement in education

Question 5

Material deprivation

Answer 5

Lack of material necessities which aid educational achievement

Question 6

Fear of debt

Answer 6

W/c students are more likely to be afraid of getting into dead due to past experiences and are therefore less likely to continue with further education (university)

Question 7

Diet and Health (Howard)

Answer 7

Childs health and welfare - cold, damp housing can make a child ill and therefore there attendance will be lower at school
Poor diet and nutrition - lack of energy and higher absence rates
higher rate of hyperactivity and ADHD amongst children from lower income backgrounds

Question 8

Housing

Answer 8

Overcrowding - lack of space to study, disturbed sleep and lack of developmental play
Distraction - can’t concentrate on hw or revision due to overcrowding

Question 9

Cost of education

Answer 9

Despite school being free in the Uk there are many hidden costs of education that can leave w/c students at a disadvantage
Cost of transport, books, computers, uniform, equipment and trips can place a heavy burden on w/c families
Stigma attached to FSM children - prevents some from taking up entitlements
Can’t afford private tuition
Might have to take on paid work whilst still at school in order to help their household - takes time away from studying and causes stress

Question 10

Bourdieu and capital

Answer 10

Three types of capital
- Cultural capital
- Economic capital
- Educational capital
All three were closely interlinked
M/c - economic capital is able to provide for cultural experiences like holidays which leads to educational capital
Economic capital can also be used for private schools and tutors