theory in education

Emile Durkheim - functionalist theory

identified 2 main functions of education and they were creating social solidarity and promoting social skills

Talcott parsons - functionalist theory

education is a bridge between the family and wider society - preparing younger generations

davies and moore - functionalist theory

education is a system used as a device for allocating roles by sorting individuals into the most able and the least able

bowles and gintis - marxist theory

education system reproduce obedient workforce that will accept inequality as inevitable - study on 237 student in a NYC school

Althusser - Marxists theory

believes the state consists of 2 elements to keep the ruling class in power and they are repressive and ideological state apparatus

paul willis - marxist theory

studied counter culture of ‘the lads’ - a group of 12 working class boys as they make their transition from school to work - find school boring and meaningless so breka rules

chub and moe - new right theory

argue that the state run education in USA has failed because - not created equal opportunities for disadvantaged groups, private schools provide higher level education and fails to produce pupils with the skills needed by the economy

meritocratic

everyone is given equal opportunities, and indiviausl achieve rewards through their effort and ability

social solidarity

the sense of cohesion and unity that binds individuals into functioning in society

marxists view on education

argue that education in a capitalistic society only transmits the ideology of a minority - ruling class

functionalists view on education

see education as a process that instis the shared values of society as a whole

neoliveral and new right view on education

argue that statr education often fails to prepare young people adequately for work

neoliberals view on education

argues that the values of education lies in how well it enables the country to compete in the global marketplace

new right view on education

favour marketisation policies in education because they believe that the state cant meet their own needs through the free market

and that state education system takes the approach of a one size for all which imposes uniformity

how does the new right criticise functionalism

believes that the current education system is not achieving the goals of successfully socialising the younger generation and being run on meritocratic principles

hidden curriculum

basic ‘lessons’ that are learnt in school without directly being taught.

for example through everyday working the pupils become used to having a heirarhcy and competition

cohen - marxists

argues that the youth training scheme serve capitalism by teaching young workers not genuine job skills but rather the attitudes and values needed for a subordinate workforce

postmodernist view on education

argues the economy has become post-fordist and education is becoming more diverse and flexibile