Role and Functions of Education - Functionalism + New Right

Question 1

What is human capital?

Answer 1

the stock of knowledge, skills, values, habits and creativity that makes someone an economic asset to society.

Question 2

What is the hidden curriculum?

Answer 2

the informal learning processes that happen in school. It is a side effect of education that teaches students the norms and values of society.

Question 3

What are particularistic values?

Answer 3

values and rules which only apply to that particular person in a given situation (e.g. the home).

Question 4

What are universalistic values?

Answer 4

values and rules which apply to all members of society equally.

Question 5

What are the four functions of education and the key thinker involved?

Answer 5

• Socialisation and social solidarity - Durkheim
• Bridge between family and society - Parsons
• Developing human capital - Schultz
• Role allocation - Davis and Moore

Question 6

What is meant by socialisation and social solidarity (Durkheim)?

Answer 6

• education system meets a functional pre-requisite of society by passing on the cultural values of society.
• achieved through the hidden curriculum and PSHE lessons.
• helps build social solidarity as it teaches students the core values of society.

Question 7

What is meant by the bridge between family and society (Parsons)?

Answer 7

• believed schools provide a link between the family and wider society allowing students to move from the ascribed status and particularistic values of the home to the meritocratic and universalistic values of wider society.

Question 8

What is meant by developing human capital (Schultz)?

Answer 8

• suggests that investment in education benefits the wider economy. Education can provide properly trained, qualified and flexible workforce.
• argue that education makes sure the best and most qualified people end up in jobs requiring the most skill.

Question 9

What is meant by role allocation (Davis and Moore)?

Answer 9

• the education system provides a means to selecting and sifting people into the social hierarchy.
• in a meritocratic society, access to jobs and power, wealth and status are directly linked to educational achievement.

Question 10

Evaluation for the functions of education.

Answer 10

(-) ignores aspects of education which are dysfunctional - negative conflict.
(-) myth of meritocracy - private education.
(-) Marxists - hidden curriculum reinforces social inequality and maintains ruling class ideology.
(-) Feminists - hidden curriculum maintains and reinforces patriarchy not meritocracy.
(-) Wong - functionalists see children as passive puppets of socialisation - process is much more complex - involves teacher-pupil relationships.
(-) weak link between educational achievement and economic success.

Question 11

New Right view on the role of education?

Answer 11

• similar belief to functionalism but believe the state takes too much of a role and the free market policies (marketisation) would raise standards.
• schools should compete with one another and parents and pupils should be seen as consumers.
• Chubb and Moe -education vouchers and parentocracy.

Question 12

New Right influence of education policy?

Answer 12

• 1980s Vocational Education
• 1988 Education Reform Act:
  + funding formula
  + league tables
• New Labour - academies
• coalition government:
  + free schools
  + privatisation of education