Sociology unti 5:Education

Formal education

education that takes place in classrooms, with professional teachers and set content to be taught and learnt.

Informal education

things children learn outside the classroom that are not part of the formal content of lessons

Official curriculum

subjects that are taught and their content

Hidden curriculum

the experience of going to school, through which students learn norma, valyes, beliefs and attitudes.

Aspects of the hidden curriculum

Timetables teach punctuality

Sports teach teamwork

wall displays reinforce messages

the importance of following school rules

uniforms

State schools

schools that are run and funded by the government

Private schools

schools mainly funded by the fees paid

Strengths of state schools/limitations of private schools

few people can afford to send their children to private schools

it can be seen as wrong that the wealthy can buy a better educationn

private schools create a division between groups

if private schools did not exist, governments could charge higher teaxes and invest more money is state schools

Strengths of private schools/limitations of state schools

smaller classes

they can choose what curriculum to follow

better teachers

better resources

selective schools

when schools choose thier learners based on ability

non selective schools

schools which accept all learners, regardless of ability

Strengths of non selective schools/limitations of selective schools

they allow for equal opportunity

stronger community spirit

non selective schools dont reinforce social class divisions (no exams)

allow learners to develop at their own pace

Strengths of selective schools/limitations of non selective schools

non selective schools bring down standards

non selective schools are large and impersonal

selective schools ensure learners with high potential achieve it

streaming and setting can lead people to see themselves as failures