Roles and Processes in Schools

Setting: 

• A method of grouping students into classes based on their ability in specific subjects. It's also known as streaming or tracking.  

Streaming: 

• The practice of grouping students into classes based on their perceived ability level 

Ideal Pupil: 

• A construct that teachers use to evaluate students. It's a model of the characteristics and behaviours of a model student. 

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: 

• A situation where a belief or expectation comes true because people act in ways that confirm the belief 

Characteristics of an Ideal Pupil:

Bernstein- Language Codes:

• Restricted Code: 

  • A type of informal language use that is often associated with working-class people 

• Elaborate Code: 

  • A style of language that is explicit, detailed, and context-independent. It is used in formal situations, such as education, and is associated with the middle and upper classes. 

Labelling Theory: 

• Overview: 

  • Individuals' self-identity and behaviour can be significantly influenced by the labels assigned to them by society, meaning that when someone is repeatedly labelled as deviant or criminal, they are more likely to internalise that label and act accordingly, often leading to further deviant behaviour 

• Evaluation: 

  • Often criticised for being overly deterministic, neglecting the root causes of primary deviance, and failing to address power dynamics in labelling processes adequately 

• Reactions: 

  • The reaction of others to a person's behaviour, particularly negative reactions like labelling them as "deviant" or "criminal," is what significantly contributes to their continued deviant behaviour; essentially, the act of labeling someone can lead them to internalise that label and act in accordance with it, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

Labelling- Case Studies: 

• Rosenthal and Jacobson: 

  • Most known for their study on the "Pygmalion effect" which demonstrated how teacher expectations can significantly influence student performance, essentially acting as a self-fulfilling prophecy where students labelled as high-achievers tend to perform better simply because teachers believe they will, while those labelled as low-achievers may perform worse due to lowered expectations; this concept is often referred to as "teacher labelling" within the field of education and social psychology. 

• Ray Rist: 

  • Rist found that the teacher grouped students based on their socio-economic status, creating the "Tigers" group, comprised of neat, middle-class, academically advanced students, the "Cardinals," who were average, and the "Clownfish," who were considered troublesome students from poor, working-class, and deprived backgrounds. 

• Hempel Jorgenson: 

  • A sociologist primarily known for her research on the concept of the "ideal pupil" within education, highlighting how the perception of the ideal student varies significantly depending on the socio-economic composition of a school with working-class schools often prioritising obedience and behaviour over academic ability compared to middle-class schools where personality and engagement are valued more highly