educational policies - selection Flashcards
In 1944, following the Butler act, what was introduced?
tripartite system and 11+ exam
what is the tripartite system?
introduction of 3 school types: secondary modern, grammar and technical
they had the belief that by the age of 11 everyone’s ability was fixed
what are some criticisms of the tripartite system?
- 11+ seemed unreliable and unfair
- damages the self esteem of the w/c students
- mainly rich white boys who go to grammar schools
- sec modern were seen as inferior, with grammar leading to better life chances
- talent and ability was wasted in sec modern
what was introduced in 1965?
comprehensive schools
what is meant by a comprehensive school?
- no selection exams at 11
- all abilities were educated together
- based on catchment
- interviews for state schools and selection by ability were banned
what is a criticism of comprehensive schools?
middle class still have advantage e.g. catchment by mortgage
what is meant by admission codes?
schools were forbidden to discriminate based on class, ability or parental background.
however, for admission codes?
schools can discriminate based on assisting or giving priority to pupils who are PP or in LA care. (positive discrimination)
- the best schools go out of their way to admit poorer students who wouldn’t usually get a chance
what are 3 types of selection?
- selection by ability
- selection by aptitude
- selection by faith
what is selection by ability?
students assessed on basis of ability and intelligence (11+).
now banned except for minority of grammar schls.
practiced in normal schls through streaming
what is selection by aptitude?
students are picked based on how good they’re at certain subjects.
state schls with specialism are allowed to pick 10% of their students on this basis
what is selection by faith?
schools legally select on basis of faith if the schl has a faith character.
they must admit no less than 5% who aren’t of the faith if demand exists.
what is covert selection?
discouraging parents from poorer socio-economic backgrounds from even applying in the first place - by giving impression of the school to be more suited and have more appeal to mc parents
e.g. expensive sch uniforms
two reasons for selective schooling
- benefits ‘high flyers’ and brighter children aren’t held back
- reducing selection is entirely socialist and undermines the new right/functionalist view that we shld support the most able as a priority
3 reasons against selective schooling
- fewer social divisions: if all children attend the same school types of school , there is social class and ethnic mixing which overcomes class divisions
- benefits pupils of all abilities: they are all taught in the same class, the more able can work to support the others :- benefits everyone (smyth - benefits highest achievers)
- no negative impact on social mobility: selective schooling has no neg benefits on students from w/c backgrounds (swift)
how do admission polices influence open enrolment?
- parents can apply for their child to go to a school in any area
- if the school is undersubscribed, they must accept the child
- case of parental preference as not all get their first choice
what is meant by over subscribed schools?
if a school is oversubscribed, they must follow a criteria:
- LA care
- older sibling at the school
- live in catchment
- faith
- selection by mortgage = m/c live closer to good schls and do better
- w/c lose out on this system
