Education T1 - Overall Views Flashcards
Outline the functionalist views on education
Functionalism argued that education is an agency of socialism; it maintains social stability through the development of value consensus, social harmony and social cohesion
-education prepares children for working life in a rapidly changing society and improves their lives through social mobility
School is based on the values of meritocracy; equal chances for all
Durkheim beliefs of education
Education serves an important function to preventing anomie
He stressed subjects such as re&history teaches shared heritage, promoting integration and solidarity
Believed each society has complex economies where specialist knowledge and skills are needed for the economy
Education helps ensure the future workforce is prepared for the jobs they may face
What is the first function of Durkheim and Parsons
The first function of Durkheim and Parsons is: education passes on societies culture and building social solidarity
=== education meets a functional prerequisite; passes on care values of culture and society – this is achieved by the hidden curriculum
Criticisms of Durkheim and Parsons first function
First function – passing on societies culture and building social solidarity
Criticism: Marxist would argue that this ignores inequalities in poorer society. There is no value consensus; culture and values past one are those dominant of the ruling class
Durkheim and Parsons second function of education
Durkheim and passing second function of education ::
bridging the particularistic values and ascribed status of the family with universalistic values and and status of society
= Durkheim argues that schools are “society in miniature“ – parsons sees schools as important places for secondary socialisation and introduces the values of meritocracy to young people
Criticism of Durkheim and Parsons second function of education
Second function of education – bridging the particularistic values and ascribed status of the family with universalistic values and and status of society
Criticisms – there is no doubt about whether society is really based on universalistic values and achieved status wealth can be inherited and many elite jobs are still influenced by ascribe status
Durkheim and Parsons third function of education
Durkheim Parsons third function of education:
developing human capital; a trained and qualified labour force
= Schultz developed the theory of human capital; high spending in education is justified due to the importance in a successful economy. Therefore functionalists see education as necessary to provide quality labour force to undertake a range of jobs which would arise from specialised division of labour in modern society
Durkheim and Parsons fourth function of education
Durkheim and Parsons for function of education: selecting and allocating people for roles in a meritocratic society and legitimising social inequality
== Davis and more argues that education is a means of ensuring the most qualified people are allocated to the most important jobs.
They suggest that in the educational race for success that is a quality of educational opportunities
Criticisms of the time and Parsons third function of education
Third function of education – developing human capital; are trained and qualified labour force
= The link between your qualifications and pay/job status is much weaker than functionalist assume
most occupational skills are learned through training schemes in the workplace
Criticisms Durkheim and parsons fourth function of education
Durkheim and Parsons for function of education – selecting and allocating people for roles in a meritocratic society and legitimising social inequality
= social class gender and ethnicity can influence the success/failure of students in education. There is no equal starting point. Bowels and Gintis argue that the education system disguises the fact there is no equality of opportunity in education
Outline the new right perspective on education
The new right approach reflects many functionalist ideas
New right argues that education should be concerned with training the workplace
More able students should be developed and recruited into more important jobs, while others prepare for low level employment
Schools should not be concerned with promoting equality of opportunity, instead socialising students into collective values and social solidarity, ensuring a stable society
What perspective are chub and moe and what do they argue
Chub and moe are new right perspectives
They believe education should be a free market, with a range of independently managed schools and colleges tailored the local community of parents ans students
What perspective is marketisation under
Marketisation is a new right perspective
What is marketisation
Marketisation is competition between schools for pupils; schools should strive to be the best in their area
Advantages of marketisation
Advantages of marketisation:
Allows businesses to take over failing schools ( eg- finances) and helps to promote equal opportunities if they turn the school around
League tables help with their status
Orated ensures schools always keep high standards
League tables allow students to make informed decisions
Disadvantages of marketisation
Disadvantages of marketisation:
Competition can be damaging for children as the pressure to do well may be too much
Unfair standards for their poorer schools due to lack of funding
League tables can lead to a cycle of low funding
Costed warning is too much pressure
Outline the Marxist perspective on education
Marxists see education as a means of social control, encouraging young people to conform, accept their social position
People are encouraged to accept their social position following schooling, as they are led to believe they only have themselves to blame, even through disadvantages arising from social class creates inequalities from the start of their educational career
Althusser (Marxist) views on education
Althusser (Marxist) believes the main role of education in a capitalist society is the reproduction of an effective and obedient labour force
The official curriculum portrays capitalism as normal and natural
Believes free thought and independence is punished
What does Althusser suggest the railing class should do in order to prevent the working class rebelling
To prevent the working class rebelling, the ruining class should persuade them by having a number of ideological state apparatus eg- family, media, law, religion and education
Althusser: main role of education in a capitalist society as the reproduction of an effective and obedient labour force,,, what are the 2 aspects
- reproduction of necessary technical skills
- reproduction of ruining class ideology and accepting it (false consciousness)
Illich perspective on education (Marxist)
Illich believes schools are repressive institutions promoting conformity and encouraging students into passive acceptance of existing inequalities
Education system is focused the interest of the powerful - not the students themselves. No effort to think critically- they want passiveness.
Suggested de schooling
Freire perspective on education (Marxist)
Freire believes the education system is repressive and conditions learners to accept oppressive relations of domination and subordination
