PAPER 1 (Role of education - theories)

Question 1

Durkheim (1903)

Answer 1

Two main functions of education:
. Creating social solidarity - having empathy for others.
. Teaching specialist skills - taught to be experts (complex division of labour)

Question 2

Parsons (1961)

Answer 2

. At home you are taught by ‘particularistic standards’ - judged as an individual.
. School acts as a bridge between home and society. Teaches ‘universalistic standards’ school is a focal socialising agency.
. Society has universalistic standards.

Question 3

1988 Education Reform Act

Answer 3

. Introduction of NC. All teachers teach the same thing.
Gov told state schools what to teach.
. Ofsted - Inspectors come around & rank schools. 48hr notice.
. Teaching - league tables. Offer each key stage. Data used to create league tables.
Marketisation - causes competition
Vocalisation - job based situations

Question 4

New Right

Answer 4

. Less government spending. 1979 - the gov cut public service income.
. Like free market - businesses compete & customers choose. Schools should work like businesses.
. More money to police and army.
. Respect faith, flag and nuclear families.

Question 5

Chubb and Moe

Answer 5

Investigated the American education system. Based findings on achievements of 60,000 pupils from LI families. LI pupils do 5% better in priv schools than state schools.

Question 6

Gewirtz and Ball

Answer 6

Argue that comp between schools benefits the M/C. Bc they can use their cultural and economic capital.

Question 7

Althusser (Two parts to the state)

Answer 7

Identified two parts to the state:
The RSA (police, army, etc…) - maintain rule of the state by force or threat of it.
An ISA - they trick people into thinking society is fair and we can’t change it.

Question 8

Examples of a free school:

Answer 8

Michaela school.
Krishna Avanti.

Question 9

Example of an academy:

Answer 9

St Peter’s

Question 10

Bowles and Gintis

Answer 10

Capitalism requires a workforce willing to be exploited. They used surveys, study 273 New York high school students in 1976.
Capitalism produces ‘alienation’ - feeling disconnected from yourself and others.

Question 11

Bowles and Gintis on the correspondence principle
(Myth of meritocracy)

Answer 11

• Parallels between schooling and work (CP) - The CP operates through the hidden curriculum.
• Things you learn at school without being taught, e.g. acceptance of authority.
• Myth of meritocracy - an individuals class position determined how successful they would be, not their efforts.

Question 12

Willis (Neo-marxist)

Answer 12

Studied a group of twelve 16-year-old boys in their last 18 months of school in secondary modern in an industrial town & their first six months at work afterwards.
The lads attached little or no value to school work. Tried to avoid going to lessons. School = boredom and the adult world = excitement.

Question 13

Davis and Moore - role allocation

Answer 13

The education system:
- Sifts and sorts students based on ability
- Promotes the idea of social mobility and meritocracy
- Most able pupils end up in higher positions in society
- Lower ability end up in lower positions
Evidence of this now:
- Setting and streaming
- University applications, relies on predicted grades
- Subject choice - vocational (BTECs) and academic routes
- Wage inequality