education Flashcards
what is formal education
takes place in educational establishments such as schools and universities where people learn knowledge and skills across a wide range of subjects
what is informal education
people develop knowledge and skills by observing their surroundings and their everyday life
what are the 4 functions of education system
serving the needs of the economy
facilitating social mobility
fostering social cohesion
selection and role allocation
why is serving the needs of the economy important
education has an economic role in teaching the knowledge and skills that future workers will need in a competitive global economy
why is facilitating social mobility important
education system enables people to move up or down the social ladder - gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds can achieve qualifications and move to a higher social class
why is fostering social cohesion important
through subjects, students identity themselves - school reinforced the ’glue’ on social bonds that unite different people in society
why is selection and role allocation important
education system works like a sieve, grading students and allocating them to do jobs based on their individual merit
what was durkheims view on education (3)
- functionalist
- main function is to transmit societies norms and values - subjects install norms and values for children
- through sanctions, children learn to respect the rules
- education equips children with the skills they need for future work roles
criticism of durkheim
marxists - education transmits views of ruling class rather than society as a whole
feminists - school transmits a patriarchal culture
education doesn’t necessarily teach skills that prepare studies for their future workplace roles
what was parsons view in education (4)
- functionalist
- education system is the main agent of socialisation - acts as a bridge between family and society
- children have particularistic standards from family primary socialisation and now learn universalistic standards to apply to society
- promotes achievement and equality of opportunity
- role allocation - jobs matched to children creating meritocracy in society
criticisms of parsons
marxists - education transmits values which benefits the dominant groups in society
feminists - question wether education system is based on meritocracy or provides equal opportunity
critics argue how far told allocation is effective or meritocratic
what are the 4 roles of education from the marxist perspective
- serves the interest of the ruling class
- reproduces the class structure
- breeds competition
- secondary socialisation
what is society serving the interest of the ruling class
passing on ideas and beliefs that benefit the ruling class
what is education reproducing the class structure
education appears to reward students based on their individual abilities however it actually favours pupils from more privileged backgrounds
how does education breed competition
through exams and sports at school - students are encouraged to accept values such as competition
how does education complete secondary socialisation
working class students learn norms and values at schools that prepare them for their lower position in a capitalist society.
what are bowles and gintis key ideas
- main role of education is to reproduce a workforce to meet the needs of the capitalist economy
- schools rewards students who meet these qualities with high grades - create a hard working workforce to be exploited
- education system produces a workforce for capitalism mainly through the way schooling is structured and the hidden curriculum
- correspondence principle
what is the correspondence principle
there is a link between school and it’s hidden curriculum and the work place
what do B&G see meritocracy as
a myth - background is more of an influence then a students IQ
what are the criticisms of bowles and gintis
- assume students passively accept values
- exaggerate the power of the education system
- buisnesses now require more creative thinkers than passive
- functionalists still see a meritocracy if society
what is the structure of the school system from start to end
early years
primary
secondary
further (college / sixth form)
higher (uni)
what is the independent sector of school
fee paying schools - private schools
what are the advantages of independent schools
- low teacher - student ratio
- resources and facilities are better
- parents input fees for support and expectations
what is a state school
no fee - socially mixed - provide for upward social mobility