The New right and Neoliberal perspective

What is the New Right perspective on education?

Education should promote standards, competition, parental choice and accountability, while preparing pupils for employment.

What do Chubb and Moe argue?

They argue that introducing greater parental choice and competition can improve schools by making them more responsive to families.

What is marketisation?

The introduction of market mechanisms into education, including competition between schools and parental choice.

What is parental choice?

The ability of parents to select schools for their children, subject to admissions rules and available places.

How might marketisation improve education?

Competition may encourage schools to improve performance, respond to parents and use resources more effectively.

How might marketisation increase inequality?

Middle-class parents may possess greater economic, cultural and informational resources to secure desirable school places.

What is educational privatisation?

The increasing involvement of private companies or private-sector practices in the provision or management of education.

What is endogenous privatisation?

The adoption of private-sector practices within public education, such as performance management, competition and business-style targets.

What is exogenous privatisation?

The involvement of private-sector organisations in providing or managing services previously delivered by the state.

What is neoliberalism?

An approach favouring market competition, individual choice, private enterprise and a reduced direct role for the state in economic provision.

What is a balanced judgement on the New Right?

Competition and accountability may improve responsiveness, but market mechanisms cannot guarantee equal access or eliminate structural disadvantage.