EDUCATION - policy

Question 1

Define meritocracy

Answer 1

a system in which rewards are based on individual merit rather than social factors like wealth. You gain success through ability & hard work.

Question 2

Name at least 3 education policy acts

Answer 2

-The Forster Education Act 1870
-The Education Act / Butler Act 1944
-The Comprehensive System 1965
-The Education Reform Act 1988

Question 3

What did the Forster education act do?

Answer 3

-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

Question 4

What did the Butler act do?

Answer 4

-all 11year old students take the 11+ exam to determine what school they should go to
-tripartite system: grammar, secondary, technical schools

Question 5

what separates grammar schools and secondary schools?

Answer 5

-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.

Question 6

What was the aim of the Comprehensive system?

Answer 6

To overcome the class divide of the tripartite system + make education more meritocratic.

Question 7

What did the Comprehensive system change?

Answer 7

-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)

Question 8

What was the aim of the Education reform act 1988?

Answer 8

to run schools on ‘market principles’ which would raise standards (due to competition) and give parents greater choice.

Question 9

What did the Education Reform Act introduce?

Answer 9

introduced SATs, OFSTED inspections, league tables, formula funding, open enrolment & national curriculum.

Question 10

Define marketisation

Answer 10

the process of introducing market forces of consumer choice & competition between suppliers into areas run by the state.

Question 11

define parentocracy

Answer 11

ruled by parents - parents are in charge of the education system.

Question 12

name at least 4 policies that promote marketisation

Answer 12

-OFSTED inspections & reports
-Publication of exam league tables
-Formula Funding
Open enrolment
-Academies (no more local control)
-Specialist schools
-Tuition Fees for Universities

Question 13

Who highlighted cream-skimming + silt-shifting in schools?

Answer 13

Bartlett, 1993

Question 14

What is cream-skimming?

Answer 14

‘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

Question 15

What is silt-shifting?

Answer 15

‘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)

Question 16

What is formula funding?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What is economic capital?

Answer 17

-build up of wealth / financial resources
-middle class have economic capital, working class lack it

Question 18

What is cultural capital?

Answer 18

-build up of cultural knowledge and skills from experiences
-middle class have cultural capital, working class usually lack it

Question 19

What 3 types of parents did Gewirtz identify?

Answer 19

-PRIVILEDGED school choosers
-DISCONNECTED LOCAL choosers
-SEMI-SKILLED school choosers

Question 20

name at least 3 Labour (1997-) policies that tried to combat education inequalities

Answer 20

-Aim Higher programme (encouraging uni)
-Education Maintenance Allowance EMA
-City Academies
-Increased funding for state education
-Education Action Zones
-National Literacy Strategy

Question 21

What were the coalition government’s 2 main education policies?

Answer 21

Academies & Free Schools

Question 22

What 2 coalition policies were introduced to reduce inequality?

Answer 22

-Free School Meals
-Pupil Premium (schools given extra money for disadvantaged children)

Question 23

Identify at least 2 ways in which education is being privatised.

Answer 23

-Providing supply teachers
-Careers advice for students
-Ofsted inspections
-Building schools
-Edexcel (exam boards)
-Brands in vending machines

Question 24

identify 3 ways globalisation has shaped education policy in the UK

Answer 24

-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)

Question 25

Name an educational policy focused on gender

Answer 25

-GIST Girls in to Science & Technology - promotes male-dominated careers to girls
-WISE Women into Science & Engineering - promotes male-dominated careers to girls

Question 26

Name an educational policy focused on ethnicity

Answer 26

-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