Unit 3 - Section B: Differential Achievement - Social Class - Outside: Material Factors

Question 1

Smith and Noble

Answer 1

Some students face ‘Financial Barriers to Learning’ due to parents low income. As a result, parents are unable to afford:

• School Uniforms, transport, textbooks, class material - isolation and bullying
• Less likely to have a computer/homework area
• Marketisation of school means better resourced schools in affluent areas
• Pupils more likely to work part time/care for younger siblings if parents do shift work

Question 2

Raey

Answer 2

Economic capital needed for cultural capital, some students miss out, which has a negative impact on educational attainment. Private education is another way of paying into cultural capital, those who do not have access face educational disadvantages. WC students more likely to have part time jobs, work longer hours, reducing chances of attaining higher grades in education. Over 25% of private school students have extra tuition, compared to 10% of state school students. + EVA = recent educational policies have led to an increase in tuition fees (£9,250) - ‘fear of debt’ increase with MC + WC.

Question 3

Callendar and Jackson

Answer 3

Surveys on 2,000 prospective HE students, examined attitudes towards debt, class positions, decisions for HE (Uni). Discuss ‘fear of debt’, found those afraid of debt (WC) were four times less likely to apply for Uni. This fear was greatest among poor, the thought of debt stopped them applying completely.