EDUCATIONAL POLICY - 1997 New Labour Policies Flashcards
What were the 5 main things that the New Labour Government introduced reagrding Education and Educational Policy?
- EMA = Educational Maintenance Allowance
- EAZs = Education Action Zones
- Academies
- Sure Start
- Specialist Schools
What was the EMA (Educational Maintenance Allowance)?
This was introduced in 2004 and was an attempt to reduce the class gap in further education!
It consisted of a weekly cash allowance, which was payable to 16-19 year olds from low-income families; the aim was for these individuals to use this money towards benefiting their education!
What were the Successes of the EMA? (HINT: Name as many as you can; there is 1 here)
- Those who took the money were able to travel to and from school and go onto further education –> This led to an increase in their quality of life and their ability to gain a steady paying job!
What were the Limitations of the EMA? (HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 2 here)
- People may take advantage and spend the money on other materials, such as drugs etc (things that would not further their education)
- This money may have only paid for a student’s transport to and from school; it wouldn’t have covered all of their needs, such as books and meals!
What were EAZs (Education Actions Zones)?
These were introduced in 1998, in order to raise motivation and attainment levels of underachieving students in ‘deprived areas’
What were the Successes of the EAZs? (HINT: Name as many as you can; there is 1 here)
- Within 5 years, 73 EAZs were founded and they keyed strengthen Key Stage 1 education!
What were the Limitations of the EMA? (HINT: Name as many as you can; there is 1 here)
- They would only help strengthen Key Stage 1; they wouldn’t help in Key Stage 2, 3 or GCSE results at Key Stage 4!
What were Academies?
They were state-funded schools that were funded directly by the government rather than by the local education authority!
They aim to promote and maintain standards in education and they were sponsored by individuals, charities and businesses!
Evaluate Academies! HINT: Name as many points as you can; there are 5 here!
- They do not follow the National Curriculum –> They can choose their own curriculum, as long as it is ‘broad’ and ‘balanced’!
- Increased Britain’s low position on the PISA league tables!
- They are outside local authority control!
- Some researchers believe it is too early to assess the full impact of Academies!
- The government today want to try and make all schools academies!
What was the aim of Sure Start?
Sure Start is a programme which was introduced to improve the health, education and employment prospects of under fives and their families!
It focused on enhancing language skills, improving access to services and enhancing parenting skills!
How Successful was Sure Start? (EVALUATION - There is 1 point here)
There was NO MEASURE IMPROVEMENT in academic ability of children, although there was considerable change to the environment, lifestyle and health of the children.
What were Specialist Schools?
These were schools that specialised in various subjects and provided expertise in certain areas from the sciences to the performing arts!
They provided diversity and offered higher levels of parentocracy (which fitted with the New Right’s marketisation agenda)!
What were the Successes of Specialist Schools? (HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 2 here)
- Smaller class sizes and a higher staff to pupil ratio; children receive more focus and attention in comparison to more mainstream schools!
- Experiences and specialist teachers who can tailor to specific children’s needs!
What were the Limitations of Specialist Schools? (HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 4 here)
- A more limited curriculum and fewer opportunities to gain recognised qualifications, like GCSEs!
- Distance from home, which may mean transport is required!
- A lack of opportunities to socialise with a wide range of different individuals of the same age with different abilities!
- Stigmatisation as a result of the ‘special school’ label; may lead to bullying from other individuals!
