Education Flashcards
How does education play a role in socialisation?
It is an agency of Secondary Socialisation
This helps to create a sense of belonging and social solidarity bc pupils are integrated into a unified culture and feel committed to society and society’s values.
List the two functions of education according to Durkheim
Help to create a sense of belonging and social solidarity.
Transmits specialist skills required for the workplace
List the function of education according to Talcott Parsons
It is an agency of secondary socialisation and acts as a bridge between society and the family.
Why is school a bridge considered a bridge between family and society?
The family and society operate by different standards.
The family operates by particularistic standards
Society operates by universalistic standards
The role of school is to introduce universalistic standards day-to-day through meritocraticracy.
Define universalistic principle
Everyone is treated equally to others and judged against the same standards. Status in society is achieved
Define particularistic standards
People are treated as individuals and judged based on personal qualities. Status is ascribed.
Define meritocracy
A society whereby jobs and pay are allocated based on an individual’s talent and achievements rather than social status.
List the two functions of education according to Davis and Moore
Provides a meritocracy
Education is a device for role allocation
What is meant by role allocation?
The education ‘sifts’ and ‘sorts’ are according to Talent, Ability, and Effort. This means society’s most important roles are filled by the most capable
Advantages of Durkheim’s functions of education.
Evidence supports that schools promote a sense of belonging to encourage a value consensus i.e. The American flag allegiance and British Values.
Schools have a very important economic function in preparing individuals for the workplace.
Disadvantages of Durkheim’s functions of education
POSTMODERNISTS would argue that there is no such thing as a unified culture anymore. As Britain is becoming more multicultural, they question how much solidarity can be taught at a national level.
They also question how adequately pupils are being prepared for work i.e. shortage of STEM grads. Also, a view that schools kill creativity-lack of prep for creative industries.
Evidence that Britain is meritocratic
State education is free to everyone.
Open enrolment so parents have the right to choose a school- voucher system
Exams are standardised
Certain policies are now in place. i.e bursary, scholarship, frees school meals, pupil premium, 30 hrs free childcare.
Evidence that Britain is not meritocratic
80% of children from middle-class backgrounds go to university compared to 10% from low-income families.
45%of children from low-income families are read to at home, compared to 78% of middle-class children.
List the two functions of education according to Bowles and Gintis
To reproduce the next generation of labour power
To legitimise inequality.
Define the Correspondence principle
The idea that there are similarities between the school and workplace that prepare pupils for life in the capitalist system and have prevented rebellion or revolution.
Describe the myth of meritocracy
Pupils are treated the same, leading them to believe that everyone has the same opportunities and that pupils have only themselves to blame if they fail.
Define Economic Determinism
The Marxist belief that all social institutions are shaped by and function for the benefit of the economy.
What are the correspondences between the school and workplace? (D.E.A.F)
D- Docile behaviour
E- External rewards
A- Acceptance of authority
F- Fragmented school day and fragmented workforce
How is docile behaviour a correspondence between the school and the workplace?
Pupils are rewarded for being docile (which supports the interpretive view that school kills creativity)
Workers are expected to be docile- they get on with their work and then go home without questioning anything
How are extrinsic rewards a correspondence of the school and workplace?
Pupils are given external rewards to motivate them to follow school rules i.e. gold star, trophy, Amazon voucher.
Workers are motivated by extrinsic rewards in the form of money/ wages.
Neither are motivated intrinsically- they have no internal motivation to be there (they’re not there because they want to be)
How is acceptance a correspondence of the school and workplace?
Pupils must accept a hierarchy and authority- Principle, then V.P, then department heads, then teachers, then students.
Workers must accept a hierarchy in the workplace.
How is being fragmented a correspondence of the school and workplace?
Fragmented school day- subjects and tasks are separated. This way they learn a routine.
Fragmented and divided workforce (the division of labour)
They know a routine
Divided so easier to control
Depersonalised work alienates i.e. factory line work like putting a lid on a bottle all day every day.
They cant set up in competition.
Define the hidden curriculum
Things that pupils learn through the experience of attending school rather than the formal curriculum
Formal Curriculum
A formal curriculum refers to the specific content and learning objectives that are intentionally taught in a structured educational setting, such as schools. It includes the curriculum documents, textbooks, and other materials used for instruction.
