Marketisation - increased diversity and choice Flashcards
Parentocracy - David (1993)
E - David argues marketisation has created a system where parents are consumers and schools are competing for the business - raise standards by forcing schools to improve attracting students.
E - This gives parents more control over their childs education and increased educational inequality as MC parents will be more supportive.
E - Ball argues parentocracy is a myth meaning inequality in education is seen as fair and inevitable.
League tables & cream skinning - Bartlett (1993)
E - Bartlett argues the policy of publishing each schools exam results encourages silt shifting (good schools avoid taking less advantaged pupils to avoid poor results) and cream skinning meaning good schools can be more selective, choose own customers, recruit high achieving MC pupils.
E - This leads to polarized system where disadvantaged pupils are concentrated in lower performing schools, reinforcing inequality.
E - 1988 Education Reform Act intended to promote fairness and accountability through transparent performance data. They do not increase inequality but create a framework where schools are encouraged to improve outcomes for all students.
New labour & inequality
E - Introduced a number of polices such as Sure Start and the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) - designed to support disadvantaged pupils.
E - Decreased educational inequality as they were deigned to support WC students.
E - Benn (2012) contradiction - ‘new labour paradox’ where support for disadvantaged students was undercut by continuing to promote market principles.
Parental choice - Gerwitz (1995)
E - Gerwitz study of 14 London schools found differences in parents, economic and cultural capital lead to class differences and how far they can exercise choice of secondary school - 3 types of parent - privileged skill chooser, disconnected local. choosers and semi skimmed choosers.
E - Not more diverse as MC parents possess cultural and economic capital and have more choices. WC parents.
E - Wilsher argues all parents have access to information which help them make informed decisions regardless of their background meaning it’s more diverse.
The funding formula
E - Funding formula means schools receive money based on how many people say attract this benefit schools in MC areas which tend to be oversubscribed will disadvantaging those in WC areas which may struggle to attract students.
E - This encourages schools to market themselves, which can increase diversity in school types and ethos. However, the most popular schools can only afford to offer a wider curriculum, extracurriculars and high-quality facilities well underfunded school struggle to compete.
E - Bowles & Giants would argue this diversity, masks the reproduction of class inequality. Schools may look different on the surface, but the system continues to serve needs of capitalism by channeling WC students into lower achieving schools.
