social policy and education

Question 1

why was the significance of the 1944 education act (butler act)

Answer 1

the 1944 education act marked the beginning of the modern state education system in the uk. this opened up education to all social classes rather than restricting it to those who could pay privately.

Question 2

what system was established in schools by the butler act

Answer 2

A tripartite system was established that included grammar schools, secondary moderns and technical schools

Question 3

what test did children take that decided which school they would go to

Answer 3

underpinning this system was the idea of equality of oppurtunity. children would take the 11+ test that decided which school they would go to

Question 4

evaluate the class problems associated with the tripartite system.

Answer 4

grammar schools were attended by 20% of students and were seen s the most prestigious form of education that led to university and well paid jobs. the 75% that attended secondary moderns were viewed as failures and some werent allowed to take exams. therefore, there was no parity of esteem and many were denied opportunities to progress

Question 5

evaluate how the tripartite caused gender inequalities

Answer 5

there were fewer places available for girls at grammar schools although they generally achieved better grades than boys.

Question 6

explain how social class divisions remained intact due to the tripartite system

Answer 6

the social class divide remained intact as most grammar school places were taken by the middle class. working class pupils that attended secondary moderns were viewed as failures and lacked the means to succeed

Question 7

what did research into the tripartite system suggest? (1965-79)

Answer 7

research suggested that social mobility had stalled because the tripartite system had failed in creating eqaulity of opportunity. it was argued that aboloshing the 11+ would bring meritocratic ideals closer and to educate all children in the same schools regardless of class and ability.

Question 8

evaluate criticisms of how comprehensive schools were organised

Answer 8

comprehensive schools organised their classes through streaming abilities. because of links between social class and ability, the top streams were dominated by middle class pupils and lower streams by the working class. therefore streaming in comprehensive schools reproduced class inequalities suggesting that equality of oppurtunity was still far off.

Question 9

why did neoliberals argue that parental choice was a problem

Answer 9

neoliberals argued that the lack of parental choice was a problem and criticised state schools for their lack of discipline, poor results and that mixed ability schools dragged down the most able students.

Question 10

how can it be argued that state schools had a monopoly

Answer 10

people thought that all state schools were operating to the same degree in providing good education. however this meant there was no incentive to compete with each other and improve

Question 11

what were the main aims of the 1988 education act

Answer 11

to introduce free market principles into the education system, more parental choice and to raise education standards

Question 12

marketisation

Answer 12

competition between schools was encouraged as greater competition meant greater incentive to improve. therefore parents would be given a real choice between schools

Question 13

league tables

Answer 13

league tables provided information about a schools performance to parents so that they could choose the best school for their children

Question 14

evaluate the argument that the 1988 education act reinforced class differences

Answer 14

its arguable that the 1988 education act reinforced class differences as middle class parents could use their cultural capital to get their children into the best schools.

Question 15

how did balls research suggest that middle class parents had cultural capital

Answer 15

balls research showed that middle-class parents were better able to impress in an interview, write convincing letters and perhaps had direct connections to headteachers. however working-class parents lack cultural and social capital and tend to just settle for sending their children to the local school, meaning they have no real choice.

Question 16

The Middle Classes have more effective choice because of their higher incomes

Answer 16

Selection by mortgage -houses in the catchment areas of the best schools are more expensive, meaning those with money are more likely to get into the best schools
Transport costs – middle class parents more able to get their children to a wider range of schools because they are more likely to own two cars.

Question 17

evaluate the extent to which the 1988 education act has actually improved equality of opportunity

Answer 17

the policy’s emphasis on improving standards rather than equality of opportunity meant that class and social divisions weren’t addressed. it caused families with higher cultural and economic capital to only have a sense of choice which contributed to inequalities in opportunity. nonetheless, supporting evidence for the New Right’s policies on education is that they have worked to improve GCSE results nearly every year for the last 30 years.