Class differences in achievement-external

Berstein

Language codes. Restricted code-WC. Elaborated code MC.

Restricted code:

-limited vocab

-short simple sentences

-speech predictable and short often replaceable with gestures.

-descriptive not analytic.

Working class subculture sugar man

Fatalism, collectivism, immidiate gratification, present time orientation.

WC-less job security

MC-more job security and add ambition and advancement.

Keddie

Cultural deprivation is a myth and seen as victim blaming. WC fail due to disadvantage by discrimination by MC dominated education system. Culturally different not deprived.

Black stone+Mortimore

WC parents attend fewer parents evenings due to working longer hours and put off by schools middle class atmosphere. May want to help child but have lack of knowledge.

Evidence for material deprivation

•2019-51% of FSM achieve grade 4 compared to 77% of all other pupils.

•Flaherty-financial issues large contributed to children’s absence from schools.

diet+health

Howard-lower intakes of energy, vitamins+minerals means poorer concentration and low energy levels.

•Wilkinson-lower social class higher the rates of hyperactivity anxiety and conduct disorders.

Fear of debt callender+Jackson

WC students more debt adverse, 5x less likely to apply to uni then MC.

Sullivan

Questionnaires for 465 pupils in 4 schools testing cultural capital asked about activities like reading, galleries, museums, vocab. Shows MC did these with greater cultural capital so more likely to be successful in GCSEs.

However,cultural capital alone doesn’t automatically mean MC kids do better or WC will fail.