education -3.4.1 roles and functions of education Flashcards
what was durkheim and parsons view of education?
- functionalist
- education is an essential agency of socialisation whose function is to transmit core values to the next generation
what is the role of schools from a functionalist perspective?
- teaching norms and values to next generation of society- helps children develop a sense of commitment to a social group by welding s mass of individuals into a untied whole.
- continuation of primary socialisation that starts in the family
why do functionalists believe education creates social cohesion?
- in order for a stable society, we should know how to behave and what’s expected of us
- education passes on to the new generation the central core values and culture of a society
- formal and hidden curriculum
what norms and values do functionalists view believe the formal and hidden curriculum teach?
- hidden curriculum- teaches obedience, manners, punctuality
- formal curriculum- subjects like PSHE unites people together and builds social solidarity by giving them shared values which give us social cohesion by making us feel part of something bigger
what did durkeheim describe school as?
school is a society in miniature
why did durkheim argue school is a society in miniature
- it prepares children for life in the wider world
- provides and environment where children learn to co operate with people who are neither friends or family which prepares them for working with people in later life
what did Parsons say school is a bridge between?
home and the wider society
why does Parsosn believe school is a bridge between home and the wider society?
- schools plays a central role in secondary socialisations taking over from the primary socialisation in the family
- within the family, children are judged by particularistic standards whereas at school they are judged according to the same universal standards
- education allows a transition from ascribed status to achieved status
why does Parsons argue that secondary socialisation is necessary?
because the family and the wider society work in different ways and children need to adapt if they want to cope in the wide world- schools continue the socialisation process of teaching the norms and values of society
what does Parsons mean by particularistic standards?
children are judged by rules that only apply to them and are given tasks based on their different abilities and judged according to their unique characteristics
what does Parsons mean by universal standards?
Children are judged by the same examinations and the same loss so everyone is judged equally irrespective of each individual’s unique character
how does education make the transition from family to society possible?
In society status is supposed to be based on merit and achieved, rather than ascribed at birth within the family, so education gets people used to universal values and achieved status
what is a criticism of Parsons’ view?
He implies achievement is solely down to effort and ignores factors such as material deprivation
How does education serve the needs of the economy?
- not everyone can be a doctor or a solicitor, and roles such as factory workers and cleaners are equally just as important
- so in order for society to function effectively, individuals need to have different skills
- Individuals learn the diverse skills necessary for society to function effectively at school, for example specialising in different fields when we choose subjects to study at A-level
how does education facilitate social mobility?
- functionalists such as Durkheim and Parsons argue that education allocates people to the most appropriate job for their talents using exams and qualifications
- This is fair because of meritocracy- where everyone is assumed a chance of success and the most able succeeded through their own efforts
- So education offers pupils the opportunity to do well and increase their social position- a process known as social mobility
What is a criticism of this functionalist view?
It ignores the unequal chances individuals may experience because of their social class, gender or ethnicity
what are the evaluations of the functionalist view of education?
- not all schools promote value consensus as many classrooms are places of conflict, often with pupils being disruptive and challenging authority
- Youth unemployment shows that the education system might not provide young people with the specialist skills required for work
what are primary schools?
- Provide education for children aged 4 to 11
- Start with the earliest curriculum followed by KS1 and KS2 of the national curriculum
what are secondary schools?
- Provide education for children aged 11 to 16 or 18
- follow KS3 and KS4 of the national curriculum
what are state funded comprehensive schools?
They educate all pupils regardless of their background or ability and ensure all children have access to the same level and quality of education
What are academies?
- independently managed schools set up by sponsors from business faith or voluntary groups in partnership with the local authority and the government’s department for education
- they have greater control over their finances, the curriculum and teachers pay and conditions
What are special schools?
- Pupils at a special school have usually been assessed and given a statement of special educational needs including learning or physical disabilities
- Some are funded by the local educational authority and some are independent
What are free schools?
- set up by teachers charities, the community faith groups, universities or groups of parents where there is parental demand
- funded directly from central government
- greater control over their finances, the curriculum and teaches pay and conditions
What are faith schools?
- mostly run in the same way as other state schools
- The faith status may be reflected in their religious education curriculum, admissions criteria and staffing policies
what are grammar schools?
They select all most of their pupils based on academic ability
What are independent/private schools?
They set up their own curriculum and admission policies and are funded by fees paid by parents and investors
What are the arguments for independent schools?
- smaller class sizes so teachers can invest more time in each child
- Don’t have to teach the national curriculum so children can learn skills that put them ahead of their competitors later in life
-Better facilities because of the funding received from school fees - better chance of getting into top universities as 71% receiving an accept offer from Russell group universities compared to 44% from comprehensive schools
- better job prospects
what are the arguments against independent schools?
private schools increase inequalities in society as a persons position in society is based on the parents ability to pay
these inequalities continue through to the attendance of top universities and achievement of top jobs
what does de schooling refer to?
The idea that schools should be abolished and replaced with some kind of informal education system
Children are free to choose how and where learning takes place
what is homeschooling?
When parents take fun responsibility for the education of their children rather than allowing them to attend school
Why do people choose homeschooling?
Some parents feel the methods of teaching in school are not right for their child and that they can provide a better education for them at home
What is the Marxist perspective on education?
Education prepares young people for capitalist society
This perspective emphasizes the role of education in maintaining class structure.
What does the correspondence principle refer to?
The idea that school mirrors the workplace
This concept was introduced by Bowles and Gintis.
How do children learn their class positions according to the Marxist perspective?
Children are socialised into their respective class positions
This process occurs through various societal institutions, including education.
True or False: The education system is considered meritocratic in the Marxist view.
False
Marxists argue that the education system perpetuates existing inequalities rather than providing equal opportunities.
What role does education play in social control according to the Marxist perspective?
It encourages young people to conform and accept their social position
This is part of the function of education in maintaining the status quo.
What is meant by the ‘hidden curriculum’?
The implicit lessons taught in schools that convey societal expectations
This includes norms, values, and beliefs that are not formally stated.
What do Bowles and Gintis argue about the relationship between school and the workplace?
School mirrors the workplace
This reflection includes power dynamics, hierarchies, and authority structures.
Fill in the blank: The Marxist perspective posits that education is a means of _______.
social control
This means that it helps perpetuate existing social structures.
List key aspects of the Marxist perspective on education.
- Education prepares young people for capitalist society
- Children are socialised into their respective class positions
- Education is not meritocratic
- The education system acts as a means of social control
- The hidden curriculum teaches societal expectations
- School mirrors the workplace
what are the roles of education from a feminist perspective?
there are gender subject choices of girls and boys and education place a role in the socialisation of girls and boys
what does the term gender quake refer to?
Wilkinson used the term gender quake to reflect the increasing aspirations and ambitions of young women towards the late market that served to motivate them in education
