Globalisation And Educational Policy

Question 1

What was Theresa May’s main aim?

Answer 1

Create a meritocratic society and promote upward social mobility

Question 2

How did Theresa May want to achieve her aim?

Answer 2

Selective schools

Question 3

What do selective schools mean?

Answer 3

1. Return of grammar schools based on selection by ability
   —> fixed proportion of WC students
   —> especially located in disadvantaged areas
2. In addition: all schools can introduce selection by ability (if they wish to)

Question 4

What was the aim of selective schools?

Answer 4

Appropriate education for all through diversity and choice
—> types of schools: faith schools, grammar schools, free schools and academies

Question 5

Criticisms of selective schools

Answer 5

1. Michael Wilshaw: poor children will NOT benefit (MC can use knowledge of education system to maintain inequality)
2. There’s no such thing as a tutor-proof test
3. Tripartite system is continued — poor children will get dumped into ‘sink’ schools
4. June 2017: no mention of grammar schools in Conservative party manifest after losing majority in election

Question 6

What do global league tables mean (globalisation)?

Answer 6

1. Competition on global level
2. Tri annual report about the country’s success
3. 2015: TM wants to make Britain highest ranking in maths, science and engineering

Question 7

Evaluation of global league tables

Answer 7

1. Harry Torrance 2006: should not be taken seriously, as different countries use different testing methods, samples and age groups
2. Dylan William: illustrates Torrance’s point;
   —> Singapore: by ability
   —> Finland: not
   (Both high ranking)

Question 8

What impact has globalisation had on the economy?

Answer 8

Education system needs to prepare pupils for different kinds of jobs

Question 9

What impact has globalisation had on the job market?

Answer 9

1. Manufacturing jobs have been exported to countries with lower wages
2. UK has to rely on service sector
   —> different skills and expectations taught by hidden curriculum

Question 10

Skills comparison between UK and other countries

Answer 10

1. UK is lagging behind other countries (Singapore and Hong Kong top rankings in all categories, Finland highest ranking European country)

Question 11

What impact has globalisation had on education?

Answer 11

Borrowing practices from other successful countries
—> all very different, therefore hard to know which one’s appropriate for UK

Question 12

Evaluation of impact of globalisation on educational policy

Answer 12

1. Not all sociologists agree that globalisation is actually happening
   —> education has always responded to changes in world economy
2. Lessons to be learnt from other countries might be hard to enforce in UK