Role of Education - Theory

Question 1

Durkheim? Functionalism

Answer 1

Providing socialisation to encourage social solidarity and value consensus
Providing knowledge and specialist skills to support the needs of the division of labour and the economy

Question 2

Parsons? Functionalism

Answer 2

Value of meritocracy in education
Education acts as a bridge between family and work. Shift from particularistic (family, specific values e.g. love) values to universalistic (work e.g. punctuality) values.

Question 3

Davis and Moore? Functionalism

Answer 3

Role Allocation
Roles must be filled by those most capable. The most functional roles need high awards attached to them e.g. salary to encourage people to undertake the necessary training. To motivate. Differential rewards.

Question 4

Althusser? Marxism

Answer 4

• To reproduce skills necessary for an effective labour force
• To reproduce ruling class ideology and the socialisation of workers into it

Education is an IDEOLOGICAL STATE APPARATUS that reproduces RULING CLASS IDEOLOGY. It reproduces the behaviour and attitudes required by major groups in the division of labour.

• Creates a false class consciousness and the wc class accept failure, as education sells the story of meritocracy.

Reproduce and legitimise class inequality

Question 5

Bowles and Gintis? Marxism

Answer 5

Correspondence Principle. Schools are based on hierarchies which corresponds to work later on. Reward punctuality, obedience, hard work etc. Students are motivated by external rewards, with little intrinsic satisfaction. Ties together eg qualifications ties to pay rewards in the workplace. 
Prepares students for future roles in a capitalist society. Promote belief that inequality is justified. 
Education legitmises inequality , and allows the class system to reproduce itself.

Question 6

Willis? Marxism

Answer 6

Reproducing class inequality 
The education system didn't value 'the lads', leading to them entering wc jobs like their fathers. 
They did not display false class consciousness, they accepted their position.

Question 7

Bourdieu? Marxism

Answer 7

Cultural Capital, Economic Capital and Social Capital.
The middle class possess more cultural capital that is valued in the education system, which disadvantages other groups.
Parents are pivotal in ensuring this as they need to be able to afford activities.
Stat:
ONS 1/3 of poorest families don’t have access to the internet
UCAS need to revise application process

Question 8

Skelton? Feminism

Answer 8

The hidden curriculum is responsible for perpetuating gender differences.
Stereotypes surrouding gender e.g. girls discouraged to study certain subjects based on teacher’s perceptions e.g. PE, ICT.

Question 9

Kelly? Feminism

Answer 9

Claimed that science was packaged for boys. Few female examples with examples relevant to boys interests. Teachers let boys dominate classrooms.

Criticism: girls are out performing boys in sciencee. STEM for girls schemes to increase girls involvement in these subjects.

Question 10

Colley? Feminism

Answer 10

Argues that subject choice are affected by three things:
Perception of gender roles
Subject preference e.g. types of tasks and activities required in the subject
Learning environment e.g. mixed or single sex schools

Question 11

Heaton and Lawson? Feminism

Answer 11

Cultural transmission shows how expectations can be transmitted from one generation to the next.
The hidden curriculum is a major source of gender socialisation and operates in 5 ways:
- books and textbooks
- boys ‘colonise’ the space leaving girls to feel uncomfortable in certain subjects e.g. around the computer
- teachers expectations
- patriarchal curriculum
- lack of positive role models

Question 12

Social Democratic Approach?

Answer 12

Concerned with shaping government policy to ensure everyone has an equal chance of success.
Believe that meritocracy is desireable and that the education system is a key role of providing equality of opportunity. Social Democratics think that this is possible in a capitalist society. Support compensatory education measures.

Halsey - middle class children were more likely to get into grammar schools, so believe a new system should implement greater equality of opportunity.

Question 13

New Right approach to education?

Answer 13

Argue that some are more naturally able than others, closely related to informing Conservative policies. Believe that education should be based on meritocracy. Want to unleash power to tye market and allow consumers to decide. Parentocracy. Need to focus on standards and work based skills. The Education Reform Act reflects many New Right ideas e.g. marketising education and raising standards.