New Right

Question 1

Similarities w/ Functionalism?

Answer 1

Some = more naturally talented than others
Education system should prepare individuals for world of work
Education =main secondary socialising agency

Question 2

How do the New Right criticise the education system?

Answer 2

Education system =failing to fulfil its purpose - prepare students for the world of work + secondary socialisation - bc it is run by the state (government).

State has ‘one size fits all’ approach, ignoring needs + wishes of local consumers (parents +students) who use schools.

So it’s inefficient – wastes resources, maintains low standards of education, creates labour force unprepared for world of work. Contributes to damaging the economy.

Question 3

How do the New Right believe the education system should be run?

Answer 3

Solution= marketisation of education.

Chubb + Moe argue opening education system to market forces will create competition b/w schools + give choice to consumers.

Each family should be given vouchers with which they would pay for their children’s education. Would be schools’ only source of income + would make schools responsive to parents’ wishes.

To get more money, they would need to attract the most students. For this they need to have excellent results. Would increase competition between schools and raise standards.

Question 4

What role should the state have?

Answer 4

2 Roles:
1)rovide a framework w/in which schools compete against each other such ie) league tables + Ofsted inspections.

2)Ensure schools transmit shared values by imposing National Curriculum on all schools, e.g. teaching of History should emphasise Britain’s role in world events, should be a daily act of Christian worship in all schools. This will integrate pupils into the same set of values.

Question 5

Criticisms of the New Right?

Answer 5

Competition + parental choice only benefits M/C who use cultural + economic capital to get their children into the best schools.

It’s not the state control of education that leads to low educational standards, it is social inequality.

Marxists argue that education passes on the ruling class ideology, not shared values.