Education Policies (Equality) Flashcards
What are the three aims of education policy in the UK?
Economic Efficiency, Raising educational standards, Creating equality of educational opportunity
Define Equality of Access in education.
Every child should have the same opportunities to access educational provision of similar quality regardless of socioeconomic background.
What is meant by Equality of Circumstance?
Children should all start school with a similar socio-economic background so that they are all truly equal.
Explain Equality of Participation.
All students have the chance to participate on an equal footing in the processes that make up school life.
What does Equality of Outcome refer to?
All students have the same chances of achievement in education regardless of socioeconomic background.
How did the 1988 Education Reform Act increase equality?
All schools had to teach the same core curriculum.
What was a limitation of the 1988 Education Reform Act?
Not suitable for all – suits ‘academic’ pupils more.
What did the 1965 Comprehensivisation Act achieve?
Got rid of the 11+ exam and aimed for ‘Parity of Esteem’ & ‘Equality’ within education.
What is a criticism of the Comprehensivisation Act?
Comprehensives are large schools so lack individual attention.
What does the Schools Admissions Code prohibit?
Discrimination in admitting pupils on grounds of socio-economic backgrounds or ability.
What is a challenge to the Schools Admissions Code?
Covert selection still takes place by both schools and parents.
What is the Pupil Premium?
Additional funding for those students from a poor socio-economic background.
What concern did Kerr and West raise regarding Pupil Premium?
Too many other factors outside of school impact achievement.
List the three types of selection in education.
- Selection by ability
- Selection by aptitude
- Selection by Faith
What is an argument in favor of selection?
Allows ‘high-flyers’ to benefit.
What is a criticism of selection?
Late developers don’t benefit.
What do Open Enrolment Policies (OEP) allow?
Parents can apply to any state school, in any area.
What happens if a school is oversubscribed?
Oversubscribed schools fill up quickly so many parents don’t get their 1st choice.
List the priority criteria for Over Subscription Policies.
- Children in care
- Pupil premium
- Siblings (at discretion of LA)
- Catchment area – closest first
- Faith
What is covert selection according to Tough and Brooks?
Backdoor social selection to cherry pick students.
What is a barrier for poorer students regarding faith schools?
Faith schools require a letter from a spiritual leader to gain insight into the potential student’s family and commitment.
