Key Terms and Concepts in Education

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to education, including various educational theories, practices, and socio-economic factors affecting achievement.

Comprehensive school

A type of school introduced in 1965 where all students are educated together regardless of ability.

Correspondence principle

Schools reflect the workplace and through learning routine and obedience, children are prepared to be exploited in capitalist life.

Cultural capital

The skills and knowledge middle class parents have that they can use to give their children an advantage in the education system.

Deschooling

An alternative form of education proposed by Illich where formal schools are replaced by other methods of education such as home schooling.

Ethnocentric curriculum

A curriculum that focuses on a particular ethnicity.

Formal curriculum

The subjects and topics that are directly taught in schools.

Further education

Education after the compulsory level.

Gendered curriculum

How stereotypes and expectations about gender are promoted through both the formal and hidden curriculum.

Hidden curriculum

Things that are indirectly learnt in school (in and outside of lessons), such as competition.

Labelling

Attaching a name or trait to a person or group, often based on a stereotype.

Marketisation

The 1988 act aimed to bring competition and choice into education.

Material deprivation

When students lack the money and the things that money can buy to succeed.

Meritocracy

The view that all students have an equal chance in education and success is based on ability and effort.

Selective schools

Schools where students are selected based on academic ability or religion.

Social capital

The networks of relationships/contacts that middle class parents use to help pupils succeed.

Social cohesion

When individuals in society are brought together and share the same norms and values.

Social mobility

Movement up the social ladder, e.g. from working class to middle class.

Vocationalism

Education focused on more practical or technical skills aimed at a certain job or career.

Functionalism

A sociological view that sees education as positive, preparing individuals for work and creating a stable society.

Marxism

A sociological theory that views education negatively as it maintains the class divide and benefits the middle classes.

Feminism

A perspective that critiques education for maintaining gender inequalities and patriarchal values.