Mini topic 5: Educational reforms Flashcards
Education before 1870
There was no state schools so must children did not receive an education
Whether children were educated or not dependent on their social background and their sex
However by the end of the 19th century the economy had changed to the extent that it needed a skilled workforce.
As result the forster education act 1870 was introduced
First educational policy
what are 3 reasons why its created?
Forster education act 1870 created elementary schools ( primary schools) for ages 5-11
they were taught basic numeracy and literacy skills.
Reason for the forster education act 1870:
Industrial revolution created a need for an educated workforce
To provide human right- liberals believed that was correct thing to do
Improve the effectiveness of British armies
what is criticism of foster education act 1870
Made a little difference to lives of w.c
Success in life dependent on ascribe status as m.c were paying fees for grammar schools whilst w.c got elementary schools and learnt basic skills needed for factory work.
what ideas was introduced by 1940s?
However in 1940s idea of meritocracy were introduced where individuals should achieve their status through their own ability and efforts
As result butler education act 1944 was introduced
Butler education act 1994 bought in the tripartite system - 3 different types of elementary schools
Grammar = accepted academically bright students who did well in their 11+ these schools were entered for public exams. 20% of students attend these schools.
Secondary modern= accepted most students 75% . These schools were for students who didn’t perform well in 11+ exams. Most secondary schools did not enter students for exams as they were not smart enough to pass.
Technical = schools were designed for people that excelled in technical subjects and taught woodwork, metal works and crafts. Accepted 5% of students
Children were allocated to one of each of these schools based on how well they performed in 11+ exams
Gov believed they were providing “equality of opportunity for all” as all children sat the same 11+ exams.
Criticism of tripartite system
Girls 11+ scores were marked down because it was assumed that boys mature later
Few technical schools were actually built due to costs
what was introduced after butler education act 1944
Comprehensive schools were introduced in 1965
Decided tripartite system was unfair esp to w.c students
11+ was abolished and grammar, secondary modern and technical schools were replaced with comprehensive schools
Admission to comprehensive schools were based on catchment area - admitted to schools that was close to where they live
Comprehensive system seen as meritocratic - as all schools are same - they teach all students all subjects and enter all students for exams
what are strengths and weakness of comprehensive schools
Strengths of comprehensive schools
1. Students self esteem is not damaged by stigma of going to inferior school
- Provide a wide range of examination options such as GCSE and Btec and vocational courses
Criticism of comprehensive schools
Limited parental choice - parent had to send their children to local school no matter how good or bad is it
Allocates students into streams while m.c are in top streams.
Other policies introduced the 1960s
Compensatory education
In 1967 the government set up 6 education priority areas in economically deprived parts of the country. They were to receive more money and more teachers for primary schools in order to tackle the problem of w.c cultural deprivation
Educational reform act 1988
Marketisation education - opened up education to market forces. Schools are run like business having to compete to attract parents/ students to get more funding
what laws were introduced with education reform act 1988
(NTFLO)
OVERALL AIM?
Effects of educational reform act on achievement in relation to: GES
National curriculum = set of subjects all students must study between ages of 5-16.
Testing ( sats and gcses) = sats are tests in english, maths and science age 7 and 11. GCSEs are exams at the age of 16 to see if students have reached the attainment targets. ( ( drive up standards and show what schools are doing best to give parents info )
Open enrolment= parents can send their children to any school of their choice
( forces schools to be outstanding with high grades in order to attract parents)
Formula funding = schools receive funding according to the number of students they have. (failing schools would not attract many students their funding will therefore low)
Lea=local education authorities lost control over schools. Power was given to schools directly to run themselves e.g their finance. Done in order to reduce gov interference
Ofsted = rigorous school inspection every 4-6 years. The reports give parents info about school so they can choose the best school for their child.
Aim to raise standards - to improve all schools.
Effects of educational reform act on achievement in relation to:
Gender = positive for girls - introduction of coursework, compulsory maths and science and selected by good schools
Ethnicity = negative for e.m - ethnocentric curriculum, selection - em tend to be rejected by good schools
Social class - negative w.c - w.c tend to be rejected by good schools
Criticism of marketisation
Ball = schools spend money on advertising themselves not on resources in order to attract m.c parents
bartlett= marketisation has led to selection policies by good schools through cream skimming and silt shifting.
Gillborn and youdell = contributes to widening gap in achievement between w.c and m.c class students through ac economy and educational triage
New labour government and marketisation of education 1997-2010
introduction
Following the election in 1997 , the new labour government continued to marketize education and also reduce social inequality
2010- present day
both conservative-liberal democrat coalition (2010 -15) and current conservative gov ( 2015 - present) continued the policy of marketisation of education
At the same time they abolished the new labour policies designed to reduce inequality because they opposed welfare spending as they believed it created a dependency culture.
what are 3 policies through which education is being globalised?
+ criticise it
- Foreign- owned corporations own and run aspects of state education= many private companies in ESI are foreign-owned.
Criticism : some Pearson GCSE exams are marked by examiners in Australia and the USA
- British companies are exporting UK education policy to other countries
- International league tables are being set up and these influence national education policies
