3. EDUCATION: DEBATE AND ISSUES

equality of opportunity

when everyone has the same chances

selective

pupils are chosen for entry, usually for academic reasons, though, in the case of some private schools, parents' ability to pay school fees may be a factor in selection

comprehensive

everyone enters without exams and education is free, paid for by the government

schooling

education received at school

selective school

school that chooses students on grounds of grades (students can only go to it if they pass an examination)

comprehensive school

a school in the UK for children of all abilities above the age of eleven, that is paid by the state

Elitism

when you favour a small, privileged group

privilege

an advantage that only one person or group of people has, usually because of their position or because they are rich

inherent in

existing as a basic part of something

league tables

lists of schools or colleges from the best down to the worst based on exam results and, sometimes, other criteria

perpetuate

make something continue for ever

better-off

richer

two-tier system

a system with two separate levels, one of which is better than the other

perceive

see, consider

well-endowed

receiving a lot of money in grants, gifts from rich people

depressing

reducing

less well-off

poorer

excel

achieve an excellent standard

scholarships

money given to pay for studies, usually provided on the basis of academic merit

bursaries

money given to pay for studies, usually provided on the basis of need

(afford) tertiary

education at university or college level

student loan

money that students can borrow from a bank while studying and then pay back once they are in work

undergraduates

students doing a first degree

tuition fee

money paid to receive teaching

the three Rs

reading, writing, arithmetic

literacy

the ability to read and write

numeracy

the ability to count/do basic maths

curriculum reform

changes to what is covered in the national syllabus (syllabus = plan of what is studied)

lifelong/continuing education

education for all ages

mature students

adult students older than the average student

special needs education

education for children who cannot learn in the normal way, because they have some disability

one-to-one

one teacher and one pupil, not a group

bullying

threatening behaviour

guidlines

advice (often official) on how something should be done

distraction

something that draws attention away

ultimately

finally, in the end

inevitably (adv)

unavoidably