EDUCATION - policy Flashcards
Define meritocracy
a system in which rewards are based on individual merit rather than social factors like wealth. You gain success through ability & hard work.
Name at least 3 education policy acts
-The Forster Education Act 1870
-The Education Act / Butler Act 1944
-The Comprehensive System 1965
-The Education Reform Act 1988
What did the Forster education act do?
-first piece of legislation to specifically deal with education in Britain.
-attendance compulsory for all children 5-12 in Wales, England
-public funding
-parents pay unless they couldn’t afford to
What did the Butler act do?
-all 11year old students take the 11+ exam to determine what school they should go to
-tripartite system: grammar, secondary, technical schools
what separates grammar schools and secondary schools?
-grammar schools–> (passed 11+ exam) more academic. access to higher education & non-manual jobs. mainly middle class pupils.
-secondary schools–> (failed 11+ exam) non-academic, ‘practical’ curriculum - manual jobs. mainly working class pupils.
What was the aim of the Comprehensive system?
To overcome the class divide of the tripartite system + make education more meritocratic.
What did the Comprehensive system change?
-11+ exam was abolished as well as grammar & secondary schools
-replaced by comprehensive schools that all pupils in the area would attend (catchment areas)
-up to local education authority if they wanted to ‘go comprehensive’. (not all did)
What was the aim of the Education reform act 1988?
to run schools on ‘market principles’ which would raise standards (due to competition) and give parents greater choice.
What did the Education Reform Act introduce?
introduced SATs, OFSTED inspections, league tables, formula funding, open enrolment & national curriculum.
Define marketisation
the process of introducing market forces of consumer choice & competition between suppliers into areas run by the state.
define parentocracy
ruled by parents - parents are in charge of the education system.
name at least 4 policies that promote marketisation
-OFSTED inspections & reports
-Publication of exam league tables
-Formula Funding
Open enrolment
-Academies (no more local control)
-Specialist schools
-Tuition Fees for Universities
Who highlighted cream-skimming + silt-shifting in schools?
Bartlett, 1993
What is cream-skimming?
‘Good’ schools can be more selective, choose their own customers and recruit high achieving mainly middle-class pupils. Choosing the best of the bunch, cream of the crop
What is silt-shifting?
‘Good’ schools can avoid taking less-able pupils who are likely to get poor results + damage the school’s league table position. Also, ‘offloading’ challenging students (disruptive/expensive)
What is formula funding?
MORE BUMS ON SEATS. schools are allocated funds by a formula based on how many pupils they attract. more funding = better qualified teachers, better resources, better facilities
What is economic capital?
-build up of wealth / financial resources
-middle class have economic capital, working class lack it
What is cultural capital?
-build up of cultural knowledge and skills from experiences
-middle class have cultural capital, working class usually lack it
What 3 types of parents did Gewirtz identify?
-PRIVILEDGED school choosers
-DISCONNECTED LOCAL choosers
-SEMI-SKILLED school choosers
name at least 3 Labour (1997-) policies that tried to combat education inequalities
-Aim Higher programme (encouraging uni)
-Education Maintenance Allowance EMA
-City Academies
-Increased funding for state education
-Education Action Zones
-National Literacy Strategy
What were the coalition government’s 2 main education policies?
Academies & Free Schools
What 2 coalition policies were introduced to reduce inequality?
-Free School Meals
-Pupil Premium (schools given extra money for disadvantaged children)
Identify at least 2 ways in which education is being privatised.
-Providing supply teachers
-Careers advice for students
-Ofsted inspections
-Building schools
-Edexcel (exam boards)
-Brands in vending machines
identify 3 ways globalisation has shaped education policy in the UK
-Uni entrance for overseas students (have to pay more for same education)
-Additional funding for maths + sciences (to compete with results internationally)
-Variety of schools like academies, free schools (inspired by American/Scandinavian systems)
Name an educational policy focused on gender
-GIST Girls in to Science & Technology - promotes male-dominated careers to girls
-WISE Women into Science & Engineering - promotes male-dominated careers to girls
Name an educational policy focused on ethnicity
-Multicultural Education - values all cultures in curriculum to promote achievement & raise self esteem.
-Social Inclusion - promote racial equality in all schools & include all students regardless of cultural backgrounds
