Education And Social Policy 1979-2010

Question 1

Who took over the government in 1979? Why?

Answer 1

New Right, the Conservative party
1. Poor discipline
2. Poor results (false, actually improving)
3. Large class sizes
4. Not preparing students for real life

Question 2

What policy was introduced in 1979-1997? Who was the leader?

Answer 2

Conservative Educational Policy: Margaret Thatcher

Question 3

What were Margaret Thatcher’s aims?

Answer 3

1. Make an education system that meets the needs of the industry
2. Raise educational standards

Question 4

What did Thatcher mean when she said that she favoured the use of a ‘market force’?

Answer 4

1. Consumer choice and wide range of products
2. Choice of schools and parents = raise standards

Question 5

Why was New Vocationalism introduced?

Answer 5

Students lacked abilities required by the industry

Question 6

What was New Vocationalism?

Answer 6

The government involvement in youth training
—> one year training schemes combining work experience and education
—> vocational qualifications

—> created close links between education and economy

Question 7

Criticisms of New Vocationalism

Answer 7

1. Neo Marxists (Finn): hidden political agenda (cheap labour, reduce unemployment rates, reduce crime)
2. Cohen: real purpose to create good attitudes and work discipline rather than actual work skills
3. Lower-ability students (WC and ethnic minorities) were channelled into vocational courses
   —> other form of selection
4. Training schemes reinforced sex-based stereotypes

Question 8

When was the Education Reform Act?

Answer 8

1988

Question 9

Why was the ERA important?

Answer 9

It was the most important act since 1944

Question 10

What did the ERA introduce?

Answer 10

1. National curriculum
2. National system of testing and assessing

Question 11

What measures did the ERA introduce?

Answer 11

1. Grant maintained schools
2. City technology colleges
3. Open enrolment
4. Formula funding
5. National curriculum
6. League tables
7. Ofsted

Question 12

What are Grant Maintained Schools?

Answer 12

1. Schools were allowed to opt out of LA control if parents voted for it
2. Schools could specialise in subjects or types of students
3. Diversity and choice
4. Encourage competition

Question 13

What are city technology colleges?

Answer 13

1. Increase diversity, choice and competition
2. Funded by state and private industry
3. Focus on maths, science and technology
4. Inner city areas for 11-18 year olds

Question 14

What does open enrolment mean?

Answer 14

1. Parental choice of school
2. Increase competition

Question 15

What does formula funding mean?

Answer 15

Funding per student enrolled

Question 16

What does national curriculum mean?

Answer 16

1. Age 5-16: core subjects (maths, science, English) + 7 foundation subjects
2. Testing in core subjects (SATs)
3. Information to parents

Question 17

What are league tables?

Answer 17

1. Information about school’s success publicly available
2. Intensify competition

Question 18

What is Ofsted?

Answer 18

Every 4 years inspection of school and public report