the New Right view on eduation

Question 1

What do the new right argue the education system does?

Answer 1

-It takes a ‘one size fits all’ approach, imposing uniformity + disregarding local peoples needs
-Local consumers who use schools e.g. pupils/parents have no say.
-Schools that get poor results aren’t seen as answerable by their consumers–> lower standards of achievement + a less qualified workforce

Question 2

Chubb + Moe: Consumer choice

Answer 2

Reasons why the state-run education system in the US has failed:
-Has not created equal opportunity + has failed the needs of disadvantaged groups
-Inefficient- doesn’t produce pupils with the skills needed by the economy
-Private schools deliver higher quality education as they are answerable to the consumer

Question 3

Chubb + Moe study

Answer 3

-Compared attainment levels of pupils from LIC households using parental surveys, statistics + case studies
-Found state education isn’t meritocratic, LIC students were less likely to succeed
-5% of LIC students did consistently better in private schools
-Led to the suggestion of opening education up to the market

Question 4

Marketisation of education

Answer 4

-The introduction of a market system that would put control in the hands of consumers
-Argue this would allow consumers to shape schools to meet their needs, improving quality + efficiency

Question 5

Voucher system

Answer 5

-Each family would be given a voucher to spend on schools of their choice–> would force schools to appeal to parents wishes as vouchers= funding for school

Question 6

2 roles of the state

Answer 6

-Imposes a framework on schools where they have to compete e.g. league tables
-Ensures schools transmit a shared culture e.g. the national curriculum

Question 7

what do the new right believe the education system should do?

Answer 7

-Affirm the national identity
E.g. the curriculum should emphasise Britain’s positive role in history etc + that there should be a christian act of worship each day as that is the dominant religion in Britain
-The aim is to integrate pupils into a single set of traditions + cultural values

Question 8

Evaluation

Answer 8

Gerwitz + Ball (1994)
-Argue competition between schools benefits the M/C who can use their cultural + economic capital to get into better schools
-Social inequality + lack of funding of state schools= low educational standards not state control
-Marxists argue that education doesn’t impose a shared national culture but a culture of a dominant minority ruling class

Question 9

Similarities between functionalists + NR

Answer 9

-Competition creates + instills a sense of national identity
-Every functioning society should have a value consensus.
-Education should socialise pupils into the norms + values of society