Neoliberalism + Globalisation

Question 1

Neoliberalism

Answer 1

The state should have minimal role in managing/providing public services
Free market should dictate operation of services- best way to improve quality is to operate as private businesses

Question 2

Impact of Globalisation

Answer 2

Privatisation and marketisation of education
International comparisons

Question 3

Globalisation- Privatisation + Marketisation (Supporters)

Answer 3

3 main political parties accept, promoted by neoliberal organisations, like Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Bank, World Trade Organisation (WTO)

Question 4

Globalisation- Privatisation + Marketisation (Why)

Answer 4

Education multi-billion pound global market, multinational corporations want access
Hancock estimated education exports from independent schools, sixth form + further education colleges, universities to ‘priority markets’ (Brazil, China, etc) worth £18 billion a year

Question 5

Globalisation- International Comparisons (Testing Bodies)

Answer 5

PISA- Programme for International Student Assessment
TIMSS- Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study
PIRLS- Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study

Question 6

Globalisation- International Comparisons (What Tests Involve)

Answer 6

Tests in maths, sciences, reading in representative samples of between 325,000 and over 600,000 9-15 year olds from 50-65 countries every 3-5 years
They are then ranked in league tables

Question 7

Globalisation- International Comparisons (How is Data Used?)

Answer 7

Influences educational policy in many countries- helps to evaluate existing policies + form new ones
Ofsted- propose reasons for England’s poor performance (26 out of 65 in maths, PISA 2012) and identify solutions based on top performing countries

Question 8

Globalisation- International Comparisons (Alexander)

Answer 8

PISA and TIMSS results lead to educational, economic, and political moral panics about British education + a search for ‘miracle cures’ from countries placing high, there is a belief importing policies will solve problems

Question 9

Globalisation- International Comparisons (Examples of Policies- Literacy + Numeracy)

Answer 9

Introduced by Labour gov, ran from 1998-9 to 2010
Requirement of two hours of literacy and numeracy a day in English primary schools

Question 10

Globalisation- International Comparisons (Examples of Policies- NC)

Answer 10

2015- Cons-Lib Dem coalition reduced National Curriculum to ‘essential knowledge’ in Eng, maths, science + others
Michael Gove (Sec. of State)- ‘essential core knowledge which other nations pass on to their pupils’

Question 11

Globalisation- International Comparisons (Examples of Policies- Requirements for Teachers)

Answer 11

2012- derived from comparisons with Finland- leader in international assessments
Increased academic entry requirements for trainee teachers

Question 12

Globalisation- International Comparisons (Examples of Policies- Master Teachers)

Answer 12

2014- Labour Party announced plans (if it won) to create new grade of ‘master teachers’ in state schools- similar policy in Singapore (3rd PISA, 2012)

Question 13

Globalisation- International Comparisons (Evaluation, Strengths- Spending)

Answer 13

Useful to see if spending matches achievement
UK spending above average OECD country, but performs less well than some lower-spending
Suggests spending not used to maximum effect

Question 14

Globalisation- International Comparisons (Evaluation, Strengths- Benchmarking)

Answer 14

Used to benchmark standards internationally
Oates suggests they help show what is humanly possible for children of varying ages to achieve

Question 15

Globalisation- International Comparisons (Evaluation, Strengths- Policy Efficacy)

Answer 15

Provides evidence for policy makers which work and which don’t (from other countries)
Helps us better understand how our education system works, perhaps improving it

Question 16

Globalisation- International Comparisons (Limitations- Narrow Concept)

Answer 16

Kelly- globalisation led to view of education as primarily economic + to prepare for work. Ignores well-being, passing on of knowledge, cultural appreciation, fulfilling lives + citizenship and cohesion
Countries doing well at tests may not provide broader knowledge.

Question 17

Globalisation- International Comparisons (Limitations- Tests vs Quality)

Answer 17

Tests may not reflect quality of education, but wider social circumstances
Comparing the UK to developing countries (esp. with child labour + soldiers) makes little sense
Alexander- Comparisons to nations like HK + Singapore pointless- different cultures + scale (England, 23,000 schools, Singapore, 350)

Question 18

Globalisation- International Comparisons (Limitations- Effect on Policy)

Answer 18

Gov form policy based on PISA
Alexander- Comparing international tests led to policy based on assertions about cause and effect + inappropriate introduction of policy + changing curriculum to less national culture, values, needs
Focus on ‘world-class’ educational standards- consider limited range of learning