internal school processes

What is the hidden curriculum?

Things learned in school that are not explicitly taught; linked to the Marxist correspondence principle

Give an example of the hidden curriculum

Students learn to value extrinsic rewards (e.g. exams), preparing them to work for money rather than job satisfaction

Evaluate the hidden curriculum

It may no longer be hidden (taught in sociology); not all students conform (Learning to Labour)

What is labelling theory in education?

Teachers judge pupils based on appearance, gender, behaviour, class and ethnicity rather than ability

How does labelling affect students?

Shapes self-concept and identity, influencing educational achievement

What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?

A process where a label causes a student to live up to expectations and fulfil the prediction

What did Rosenthal and Jacobson find?

'Intellectual spurters' made greater progress, showing teacher expectations impact achievement

Evaluate Rosenthal and Jacobson

IQ tests unreliable; lack of in-depth classroom observation (low validity)

What is setting?

Group students by ability across different subjects

What is streaming?

Group students by overall ability across all subjects

Why are setting and streaming used?

Due to marketisation and competition; seen as part of meritocracy

Effects of setting and streaming

Lower teacher expectations; labelling and stigma; reduced opportunities; difficult to move up

What is educational triage?

Teachers categorise students to maximise exam results

What are the three triage groups?

Pass anyway; borderline (targeted); fail anyway

What is the ideal pupil?

Teacher's mental image of the perfect student

What did Gillborn and Youdell find?

Middle-class pupils seen as cooperative and motivated; working-class seen as disruptive; leads to set differences

Evaluate Gillborn and Youdell

High validity (observations/interviews); low representativeness (2 schools)

What is a pupil subculture?

A group of pupils sharing norms, values and behaviours

How do subcultures form (Lacey)?

Differentiation (teacher labelling) and polarisation (student response)

What is a pro-school subculture?

Students who conform to school values

What is an anti-school subculture?

Students who reject school values

Examples of subcultures

Sewell (African-Caribbean males); Fuller (Black females); Ringrose (White females); Willis (working-class boys)

What did Mac an Ghaill find?

Working-class male subcultures: academic achievers, macho lads, new enterprisers, real Englishmen