All of education

Define internal processes

All systems and things in place inside schools often concerned with organisation of the school.

Define Ethos

A statement summarising the attitude and goals of the school, can be focused on many things eg: success, SMSC development, equal opportunity etc.

Who came up with the idea of the ideal pupil and in what year?

Becker 1971

Define ‘Ideal Pupil’

A constructed idea in the mind of a teacher of the perfect child to teach This affects how teachers view their students and the standards they expect in the classroom.

What did Hempel-Jorgenson discover about the ideal pupil? (And what year?)

2009 Teachers and students share ideas about what makes the ideal pupil, students are aware of what is expected of them to be an ideal pupil. Common qualities are clever and well behaved

What did Becker, Rist and Cicourel and Kituse discover about the ideal pupil

All conducted research into the qualities that contribute to the ideal pupil identity. The ideal pupil is not a yes or no concept but instead, a spectrum. Factors other than academia effect your position on this spectrum. Such as dress, personality, conformity, ethnicity and gender

What did Gillbourn discover about the ideal pupil and in what year ?

The ideal pupil is most commonly thought of as white. Black children are often viewed as less academic.

what did Harley and Sutton discover about the ideal pupil and in what year?

The ideal pupil is more likely to be a girl (especially white and Asian). Other students (especially white WC boys) are viewed as non academic.

Define: a. Banding b. Setting c. Streaming

a. School intake and groupings have spread of ability b. Students divided into groups of similar ability c. Students divided into groups of same ability

What did Ball discover about grouping students?

1982 - Students in higher sets are ‘warmed up’ to achieve as they are pushed and provided with resources. Students in lower sets are ‘cooled off’ as they aren’t pushed

What did Smyth discover about grouping students?

2006 - Students in lower sets have negative attitudes because they know they aren’t being pushed.

What did the Sutton Trust discover about grouping students?

Streaming supports bright kids but still favours middle class students. Not everyone is given access to the same knowledge

Define ‘Two-Tier system’

Students are split into ‘bright’ and ‘not bright’, treatment is different for each tier.

Define Educational Triage

Schools decide which students need the most help by dividing their students into 3 groups: the safe group, the under-achievers and the no- hopers. Students in the underachievers group receive the most help as they hold the most potential to rise the number of passing students for the school

Who came up with Educational Triage ?

Gillborn and Youdell

Define self-fulfilling prophecy

When a student accepts a perception of themselves and their ability and allows it to define their achievement. Students who are set lower have negative perceptions of themselves and are cooled off to learn, try less and don’t do as well.

Define Pupil-Subculture

groups of students who share values and behaviour that gives them a sense of identity and belonging.

Define a pro-school subculture

consists of groups of pupils who generally conform to aims, ethos and values of the school. These students are often in high streams and sets, valued and rewarded as well-behaved academically succesfull students and are more likely to be MC

Define an anti-school subculture

consists of groups of pupils who rebel against the school and disrupt as a way to get back at the system. These students are likely to be in lower sets, ignored or punished for not being academic and are also more likely to be WC.

Define polarisation

when harsh streaming and setting leads to two opposing groups.

What did Ball, Hargreaves and Abraham say about polarization?

Polarization influences student’s behaviour and leads them to forming pro and anti school subcultures

List the 8 types of student behaviour Waterhouse named in 2004, from most pro to most anti school.

Ingratiation Compliance Opportunism Ritualism Retreatism Colonisation Intransigence Rebellion

Give a strength of internal processes

They recognise the importance of what happens inside schools, focusing on internal processes avoids placing the blame for academic failure on students, their families or their backgrounds.

Give two weaknesses of internal processes

Too deterministic - Insinuates that once a negative label is placed on a child they’re ‘doomed’ - Fuller showed that there are cases where students subjected to negative labelling reject them and strive to prove them wrong Do not acknowledge the distributions of power in society - Why teachers share an ‘ideal pupil’ and what constitutes a ‘proper’ education. No acount for power choosing appropriate cultural capital Do not pay attention to factors outside of school - Parents, media, household etc form student identities as well, not just schooling.

Give a very brief overview of Functionalism

Society is made up of various institutions (education is one of these) and must function like an organism: if one part of the body is ‘sick’, the rest of it can’t function. A healthy state must set goals for society, provide it with necessities and give it’s inhabitants a sense of belonging (minimise social tensions). Social institutions have the purpose of socialising individuals which leads to social cohesion. SOCIETY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE INDIVIDUALS WITHIN IT.

What are the 4 basic functions of education according to a functionalist?

• Passing on societies culture and building social solidarity

• Bridging between ascribed and achieved status

• Developing human capital

• Selecting people for roles in a meritocratic society.

Definition and explanation of the 1st function of education according to a functionalist

Education achieves its key functional prerequisite by socialising children into the same cultural values: through the overt and hidden curriculum

Give a criticism of the first function of education

the only culture that is passed down by the education is that of the ruling class - Marxist Patriarchal views are passed down - Feminist

Define and explain the 2nd function of education according to a functionalist

Forming a bridge between the social class students are born into and the one they will end up in. Making social mobility accessible - Universalistic values apply to all in a meritocratic system. Schools \= Society in minature.

Give a criticism of the 2nd function of education

The 2nd function of education suggests that all status in society is achieved. A lot of it is actually ascribed.

Define and explain the 3rd function of education according to a functionalist

Teaching skills that are valuable to employers (developing human capital). This is nesscacerry to provide a trained and capable workforce.

Give a criticism of the 3rd function of education

Educational qualification has a weak link to later employment and salary Most occupational skills are learnt on the job, not in schools.

Define and explain the 4th function of education according to a functionalist

Education is a way to determine which students enter which level of the job market through sifting and sorting. Those who achieve the highest grades through hard work will enter the highest payed occupations. Those with the lowest grades enter the lowest payed occupations. The idea of achievement being based on hard work is called MERITOCRACY

Give a criticism of the 4th function of education.

Education isn’t a natural sieve. Other factors such as gender, ethnicity and class effect progress and achievement. Not everyone gets the same resources, chances and access knowledge as the high achievers. Even if they’re of equal ability. The education system simply disguises the lack of equality of opportunity in education.

Give a very brief outline of Marxism.

Marxism originated from the thinking of Karl Marx and formed the foundations of communism. Society is in a constant state of conflict: Rich vs Poor Bourgeoise vs Proletariat. Society is UNEQUAL and its economic status explains all human actions. Capitalism keeps the rich rich and the poor poor.

What do Marxists view education as

A form of social control, encouraging young people to be conformists and accept their ascribed positions in society

Why do Marxists believe we allow the education system to continue in the way it currently functions

The system is legitimised through ideas passed down to us. The current system becomes our norms.

What are Althuser’s views on the education system?

Education is an ideological state apparatus: an agency which seeks to spread the idealology of the ruling class Education is meant to reproduce an efficient labour force through: 1.Reproduction of technical skills 2.Reproductions of ruling class ideologies (making workers accept their place.

What are Bourdieu’s views on the Education system?

The Education System serves to reproduce class inequalities. Each social class has its own set of values (good and bad taste) this is called a habitus. The ruling class habitus is imposed upon the education system, knowledge of the ruling class habitus is called cultural capital. Students with cultural capital (MC) have an advantage. Success in the education system is dependent on your cultural capital.

What are Illich and Freire’s views on the education system?

Schools are repressive institutions that promote conformity. Learners are discouraged from critical thinking and questioning the system. Learners are forced into ideas of domination and subordination and respecting your ‘betters’. Education plays a large part in the process of the hegemonic control of the ruling class.

Define hegemonic control

control of the working class is achieved by the dominance of the ruling class’ set of ideas (habitus) over all others.

What are Bowles and Gintis’ views on education?

School reproduces a submissive workforce through the hidden curriculum and legitimising class structure. Schooling operates in the long shadow of work: it prepares its pupils for the world of work with a day structured similarly to a work day and sanction/reward systems etc. Differences in achievement do not arise from fair educational competition but from class, ethnicity and gender differences that schooling reinforces.

give 2 weaknesses of Althusser, Illich and Freire, Bowles and Gintis and Bordieu’’s statements

* ignores some influences of the formal curriculum
* deterministic - don’t tend to assume that people can make choices about what happens to them or where they end up

Give 4 similarities of Marxism and Functionalism

They are both macro theories

They both view schools as playing important roles in legitimising social inequality

They both see education serving the needs of a capitalist society

Both see the education system as a powerful influence on students.

Give 4 differences of Marxism and Functionalism

Functionalism thinks education provides social mobility, Marxism thinks it reinforces social class positions

Functionalism thinks education legitimises social inequality through meritocracy, Marxism thinks it legitimises it through persuading WC students they are destined to underachieve.

Functionalism thinks the hidden curriculum prepares students for social cohesion, Marxism thinks it encourages conformity.

Functionalism thinks education serves the needs of industrialism, Marxism thinks it serves the needs of capitalism.

Give 3 criticisms of both Functionalism and Marxism

They both place too much emphasis on school forming student identities , ignoring external factors.

They don’t fully consider the way that students react to schooling in ways that aren’t conformist - pupils play truant and workers that have been through the education system still strike

They both see too tight a link between education and the economy

Give a brief overview of the New right perspective of education.

Education should develop a workforce, with the most ‘talented’ students entering the highest levels of the job market. Education should socialise children into shared values and model citizenship. EDUCATION SHOULD BE A FREE MARKET. Anti Nanny-state Pro privatisation.

Define and explain the New Right view of education and Marketisation of education.

Education should be a free market, Schools should operate like private businesses. Competing for funding with other schools by catering themselves to students and parents as consumers and aiming for the best exam results. Schools should teach culture to produce shared values and social cohesion. The private sector thrives and funds education from fees.

Give two benefits of New Right Marketisation

Competition between school drives up standards There are more choices of the type of school a parent sends their child to.

Give two criticisms of New Right Marketisation.

Reinforces class inequality No equality of opportunity/ educational standards.

Explain what Willis intended to do in his ‘Lads’ study

1977- Willis attempted to overcome the weaknesses of the traditionally Marxist view of why WC children enter WC jobs.

Explain Willis’ procedure in his Lads study

Studied 12 male students ( the lads ) who all attended a school on a WC housing estate in Wolverhampton. They had all developed an anti school culture and were focused on leaving school and entering the world of work as soon as possible. These students had priorities such as gaining money, impressing girls and proving they could graft in a world of ‘male’ manual labour. As a result school became irrelevant.

What correlation did Willis notice in his Lads study

Willis found a correlation between the anti school subcultures and behaviour displayed in WC workplaces such as sexism and neglecting to take work seriously and a lack of respect for authority, the workplace and the education system.

What does Willis conclude in his study

The education system fails to provide a willing and complying workforce. Students like the ‘Lads’ choose to exit school themselves without teacher encouragement, actively developing their own anti-school subcultures. (Although, this could be because they feel helpless in a system not designed for them.)

define vocational education

practical education thought to develop human capital and skill transferable to the workplace through hands on experience.

Give 2 weaknesses and one strength of vocational education

* often seen as lower status than more traditional qualifications
* pupils with vocational aspirations can experience neglect by the school and the quality of the teaching of the qualification can be sub-par
* can be the right direction for students who struggle with academic subjects

Define the term Social Class

A hierarchal way of stratifying society on the basis of people’s social and economic status

Define/ explain the term ‘Upper Class’

The ‘top’ 2% of society. Aristocracy, in by birth or marriage. No need to work.

Define/ explain the term Middle class

The majority of society, workers but employed in non-manual work (white collar jobs). Divided into upper MC - highly skilled non-manual professions (law, medicine etc.) and lower MC - semi-skilled non-manual professions. (corporate employment/ administration). The MC possess wealth and own property.

Define/ explain the term Working class

Workers in manual professions. Divided into upper WC (skilled manual jobs) and lower WC ( non skilled manual jobs). These individuals tend to possess less wealth

Who came up with the concept of the ‘Underclass’ and how did they describe it?

The underclass is a New Right term referring to those who choose not to work and instead, live off of government benefits.

Define: a) Material factors b) Cultural factors

a) social and economic conditions outside school b) values, attitudes and lifestyle outside school

What did Cooper and Stewart say about material factors

Money makes a difference to educational achievement poor kids have worse cognitive, social-behavioural and health outcomes.

What did Waldfogel and Washbrook say about material factors?

Children from low income households are more likely to live in dark, damp or unsafe housing and poor diets this can lead to difficulty focusing and studying. Students may also lack educational resources and have to work part time jobs

Define the term catchment area and explain it’s effects

Areas from which schools draw their pupils The accumulated affects of environment in deprived may affect children’s behaviour and behaviour standards

What did Gibson and Asthana say about material factors

The greater the level of family disadvantage, the smaller the percentage of students gaining 5 GCSEs at grades C-A*

What did the National Equality Panel say about material factors?

The highest achievers in school come from the most advantaged areas. More than 85% of teachers believe that poverty has a negative impact on student attainment.

Define cultural deprivation

values, attitudes, language and other aspects of the cultural life of some social groups are deprived in relation to the White MC

What did Sodha and Margo say about cultural factors

The range of cultural factors combine to create disengagement from education for the WC. Creates a cultural barrier.

What did See and Davies say about cultural factors?

Higher parental interest\=better exam results MC parents take more interest in their child’s progress and are more likely to encourage them to stay in education past the mandatory age.

What are Bourdieu’s 4 types of wealth

Economic capital - ownership of wealth Symbolic capital - possession of status Social capital - valuable social contacts Cultural capital - possession of education and knowledge of arts and valued lifestyle.

Who came up with the idea of codes of speech and what are the two?

Bernstein (1972) Restricted code Elaborated code

Explain what Bourdieu meant by a. Elaborated code b. Restricted code

a. Formal and more complicated language, the tone usually used in business documents etc. Often used by the MC as they are more likely to use it in the workplace. b.Language deemed informal, used by WC as their workplaces are less likely to rely on formal or written communication

What percentage of the UK is White British?

87%

What percentage of the UK is Black British ?

3%

What percentage of the UK is Asian

7%

What percentage of the UK is Mixed?

2%

What percentage of the UK is classed as other in terms of ethnic demography.

explain the affects of material factors on BME groups

Some groups face problems like poor quality housing, higher unemployment and material disadvantage (sharing some of the problems of the middle class.)

Explain the affect of language difficulties on some BME groups

Language difficulties may cause difficulties in communicating with the teacher. White MC teachers may interpret this as a lack of ability and have low expectations of these students.

Explain how parental support and family life may affect some BME groups

Modood argues that some groups have higher levels of cultural capital despite being working class. Those groups tend to value educational success whereas others don’t

What do Gibborn and Mirza claim about external factors affecting BME group’s achievement?

social class is still the main influence of educational attainment it doesn’t override the influence of ethnic inequality WB MC kids do better than BB MC kids

What does that Swann report claim about external factors affecting BME group’s achievement??

Language factors may hold some children back but are of little importance for the majority. Some minority ethnic groups tend to receive more support from parents

What does Bhatti claim about external factors affecting BME group’s achievement? ?

Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Indian Asian pupil’s parents are supportive yet don’t know much about daily school life. These parents avoid approaching school as they find it intimidating. Black Caribbean communities have high levels of lone parenthood. This often poses financial issues. Girls in these communities tend to be high achievers - this is possibly because women tend to be the primary breadwinners so provide positive role models.

What does Vincent claim about external factors affecting BME group’s achievement?

Black MC parents are actively involved in their children’s schooling, demanding high standards. Yet are often treated like they know less about their children’s education than their peers.

What do Moon and Ivins claim about external factors affecting BME group’s achievement?

Involvement in children’s education was higher in minority ethnic groups than the wider population. It’s more common in minority ethnic groups to view your child’s education as your responsibility rather than the school’s

What do Barnard and Turner say about ethnic group differences ?

The complex relationships between social class, gender and ethnicity create a wide variation between and within ethnic groups.

Define racial harassment

an action intended to intimidate faced by ethnic minority pupils, this lowers pupil’s self esteem and contributes to school resistance

Define institutional racism

The intentional or unintentional discrimination that occurs in education and other institutions.

What do Gillborn, Mirza and Youdell say about educational triage’s relationship to ethnicity

Educational triage may reinforce the failure of black students

What does Mac an Ghaill say about institutional racism

Black Caribbean boys and girls may react differently to institutional racism: girls are more likely to disengage but still comply with rules and boys are more likely to challenge school culture directly, boys are therefore more likely to to be excluded

What does the Swan report say about institutional racism

there are a very small number teachers who are consciously racist but a lot of unintentional racism exists and this affects educational progress because teachers with racist attitudes give more time and attention to white students.

Give reasons why boys might be behind girls in education

* behind girls in reading by age 6
* more likely to be excluded
* 6 months behind girls in lit and 9 months behind in maths
* Collapse of traditional male breadwinner role leads to crisis of masculinity and knock to self esteem

Give 4 challenges that girls face in the education system

1. Art subjects more likely to be taken by females
2. less girls go on to STEM careers
3. Less likely to achieve the same levels of employment success
4. Men still hold the majority of power

Give 3 EXTERNAL factors that may explain girls achievement in schools

1. more female role models
2. Equality laws
3. changing attitudes of roles of women

Give 3 INTERNAL factors that may explain girl’s achievement in school

1. labelling
2. subcultures
3. feminisation and masculinisation of areas of schooling

What did Douglas discover about patriachal attitudes to careers

Families give priority to their sons careers and education. Girls are discouraged from long training courses as they were expected to marry early and give up work.

What did Best discover about the hidden curriculum

teaching material tends to present girls and boys in stereotypical roles. ex: boys illustrated in science books and girls

3x more heroes than heroines

What did Sharpe and McRobbie discover about the ideology of romance

Priorities of wk girls was to get married and have children.

What affect does subject choice influence have on girls?

Girls are often directed towards non academic subjects such as cookery and sewing, dropping sciences as a consequence.