Educational Reform Flashcards
What was the state of formal education before it became compulsory?
Provision of formal education was very patchy, primarily provided by churches, charities, and private foundations rather than the state.
When did compulsory education begin in Scotland and England/Wales?
Compulsory education began in 1872 in Scotland and 1880 in England and Wales.
What prompted the state to increase its role in education from the 1870s?
The need for newly enfranchised workers to use their vote responsibly and concerns over ‘national efficiency’ prompted increased state involvement.
What were ‘board schools’?
‘Board schools’ were new schools established by the state to fill gaps in education from the 1870s.
What type of education did the majority of schools provide before the 1902 Education Act?
The majority of schools provided only an elementary education to the age of 11 or 12, focusing on basic reading, writing, arithmetic, and religious instruction.
What did the 1902 Education Act achieve?
The 1902 Education Act increased the chances of grammar school education for able working-class children by allowing state funding for non-fee-paying students.
How many grammar schools offered places to non-fee-paying children after the 1902 Education Act?
Over 1,000 grammar schools offered a quarter of their places to non-fee-paying children.
What was the ratio of elementary school students who gained places in grammar schools by 1914?
Only 56 out of every 1,000 elementary school students gained places in grammar schools by 1914.
True or False: Secondary education was accessible to all social classes before 1914.
False.
Fill in the blank: Before the 1902 Education Act, the majority of schools provided an education only up to the age of _______.
11 or 12.
What was the concern of reform-minded politicians regarding education in Britain?
They felt it was unfair that the quality and duration of education was so dependent on wealth and class background.
What were some key questions regarding education after the Second World War?
Should schools promote discipline and knowledge acquisition or be more progressive? Should they promote competition or co-operation?
What did R. A. Butler attempt to address with his 1944 Education Act?
He aimed to tackle various educational questions, but his system faced criticism almost immediately.
What was the gender divide in education before 1918?
There was a marked difference in curriculums, with girls studying domestic skills and boys studying manual skills.
How did the industrial revolution influence education for boys and girls?
It led to the idea that boys and girls needed different spheres of education, as men left home for factory work while women often did unpaid domestic work.
What was the state of university education before 1918?
Access was limited primarily to those from privileged backgrounds, with low government funding and no new universities founded until the 19th century.
What was the focus of the new ‘red-brick’ universities founded between 1880 and 1909?
They focused on providing men with skills for the workplace, especially in engineering.
What was the significance of the Hadow Report?
It recommended the division of schooling into primary and secondary stages.
What did the Robbins Report recommend?
It called for doubling university places and expanding technical colleges.
What was the Labour Party’s pledge in their election manifesto?
They pledged to create comprehensive schools.
What educational approach did Plowden recommend?
He recommended a ‘child-centered’ approach to education.
What was the aim of the 1918 ‘Fisher’ Education Act?
To help with the construction of a ‘home fit for heroes’ and widen access to education.
What were the three ways H. A. L. Fisher aimed to widen access to education?
Increasing the school-leaving age to 14, providing nursery schools, and scrapping fees for elementary education.
What provisions did the 1918 ‘Fisher’ Education Act include?
Punishing those who employed school-age children and providing free health checks for secondary school pupils.