Education Policies and Inequality Flashcards
What are the 3 types of schools in the tripartite system?
Grammar schools
Secondary modern schools
Technical schools
When was the tripartite system introduced and under what act?
Education act of 1944 which was free for everyone
What are the characteristics of grammar schools?
MC
Academic curriculum
Access to higher education
Designed for academic students
Pass the 11+
What are the characteristics of secondary modern schools?
WC
Particular curriculum
Access to manual work
Failed the 11+
What are the characteristics of technical schools?
WC
Vocational education with those with specific talent who failed 11+
What is a criticism of the tripartite system?
Reproduced class inequality and the 11+ was culturally biased and MC kids had a better chance of scoring well because of cultural background and not intelligence
When was the comprehensive system introduced?
1965
What is the comprehensive system?
Labour governments wanted all children to have equal opportunities meaning they all went to the same schools so school facilities were upgraded to provide a broad curriculum and recreational activities
What is a criticism of the comprehensive system?
Reproduced class inequalities through streaming and labelling
What was the aim of the education Reform act 1988?
Reduce state control which raises competition between schools and gave parents more choice about their children education
What 5 policies were introduced under the 1988 education reform act?
League tables
OFSTED
Formula funding
Open enrolment
National curriculum
What are league tables?
Information about quality of schools where they were ranked depending on good GCSE’s
What did league tables achieve?
competition between schools and parental choice which raised standards giving them no place to hide from bad results
What is a criticism of league tables?
Gillborn and Youdell- schools adopt an educational triage to ensure good GCSE’s into those who will pass, those with potential and hopeless cases which creates class differences
What does OFSTED do?
Measures how schools perform and tell the schools successes and areas for improvement
What does OFSTED achieve?
Grades schools from outstanding to inadequate to make sure standards are improved which created competition and helps parents make informed choices on where to send their kids
What is a criticism of OFSTED?
MC parents have economic capital so can move to another area for a better school (privileged choosers)
What is formula funding?
Funding is based on pupil numbers so the more popular the school, the more funding they get
What does formula funding achieve?
Successful schools can have better facilities and raise standards whereas unpopular schools lose income meaning they find it harder to attract pupils and get less money
What is a criticism of formula funding?
Negative impact on students in underperforming schools as they don’t have the best facilities to achieve
What is open enrolment?
Parents have the right to send their child to the school of their choice rather than the one closest (parentocracy)
What does open enrolment achieve?
Encourages schools to compete as they have no guaranteed supply of students which raises standards meaning education is meritocratic
What is a criticism of open enrolment?
Myth of meritocracy- parentocracy is a myth and not all parent have the same choice based on class (Ball)
What is the national curriculum?
what children have to be taught which includes 3 core subjects and an agreed syllabus of other subjects