Education Topic 5 - Social Policy Flashcards
What does educational policy refer to?
Plans and strategies introduced by government including instructions and recommendations for schools and local authorities.
What was the significance of the 2010 Academies Act?
Made it possible for all state schools to become academies.
What are the key issues discussed in educational policy?
- Equal opportunities
- Selection and choice
- Control of education
- Marketisation and privatisation
What was the impact of industrialisation on education?
Increased the need for an educated workforce and made schooling compulsory for children aged 5-13 in 1880.
How did social class background affect education before the 1944 Education Act?
- Middle class pupils received an academic education
- Working class pupils were given basic numeracy and literacy skills for factory work.
What was the Tripartite System introduced by the 1944 Education Act?
A system that allocated children to three types of schools based on the 11+ exam: Grammar schools, Secondary modern schools, Technical schools.
What type of education did Grammar schools provide?
An academic curriculum, allowing access to non-manual jobs and higher education.
What was the role of Secondary modern schools in the Tripartite System?
Provided a non-academic, practical curriculum for those who failed the 11+, allowing access to manual work.
What did the Comprehensive System aim to achieve?
Overcome the class divide by abolishing the 11+ and grammar schools, replacing them with comprehensive schools.
How did Ford (1969) view the Comprehensive System?
Found there was little integration due to streaming.
What is the Marxist view of the Comprehensive System?
Reproduces class inequality through streaming and labelling, creating a myth of meritocracy.
What is the focus of new vocationalism introduced by the Conservatives?
Dealing with youth unemployment by providing apprenticeships and training schemes.
What are some criticisms of the new vocationalism?
- Cheap labour for employers
- Reducing politically embarrassing unemployment stats
- Stereotypical gender patterns
What is ‘covert selection’ as identified by Tough and Brooks (2007)?
Using backdoor social selection to cherry-pick high achievers.
What is ‘parentocracy’ according to David (1993)?
Marketised education where power shifts from producers (teachers/schools) to consumers (parents).
What are some policies promoting marketisation?
- Publication of league tables
- Business sponsorship of schools
- Open enrolment
- Funding formula
- Tuition fees for university
How does marketisation create an ‘education market’?
- Reduces state control
- Increases competition between schools
- Aims to raise standards
What did Gewirtz (1995) find regarding parental choice?
Differences in economic and cultural capital lead to class differences in how far parents exercised choice.
What are the three types of parents identified by Gewirtz?
- Privileged-skilled choosers
- Disconnected-local choosers
- Semi-skilled choosers
What is the funding formula in education?
Schools are allocated funds based on how many pupils they attract.
What is ‘cream skimming’ as described by Bartlett (1993)?
Good schools can select high-achieving pupils, mainly from middle class backgrounds.
What does Ball (1994) argue about parentocracy?
It gives the appearance of free choice but legitimizes class inequality.
What policies did the New Labour government (1997-2010) introduce to reduce inequality?
- Education Action Zones
- Aim Higher programme
- Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs)
- National Literacy Strategy
- City academies
What is the ‘New Labour Paradox’?
Contradiction between policies to reduce inequality and commitment to marketization.
