Education topic – Functionalists view of education
Hidden Curriculum
- Students learn attitudes and values reflected in the hidden curriculum simply by
participating in the daily routines of school life. E.g. punctuality, respect for authority,
uniforms, school rules, assemblies, students standing in line, opening doors for teachers,
raising hands to answer questions.
- All seek to instil certain values, attitudes and behaviour among students.
- Builds social solidarity by giving people shared values (value consensus) and a shared
culture.
Durkheim
- Schools = society in miniature (prepares young people for life and wider adult society)
- Meritocratic
- People earn their status positions + individual achievements
Parsons – bridge between values – schools are secondary socialisation
Particularistic values Universalistic values
+ ascribed status + achieved status
Schultz – human capital theory
The knowledge, skills, assets, that an individual or workforce has which increases workforces
value and usefulness to employers.
- Vocational education meets the needs of the economy + boosts economy
- Improving quality of basic skills of the workforce – better meet the needs
of employers and take advantage of the wide range of jobs opening up
with globalisation.
Globalisation – the growing interconnectedness of societies across the world, with the
spread of the same culture, consumer goods and economic interests across the globe.
Hidden Curriculum
- Students learn attitudes and values reflected in the hidden curriculum simply by
participating in the daily routines of school life. E.g. punctuality, respect for authority,
uniforms, school rules, assemblies, students standing in line, opening doors for teachers,
raising hands to answer questions.
- All seek to instil certain values, attitudes and behaviour among students.
- Builds social solidarity by giving people shared values (value consensus) and a shared
culture.
Durkheim
- Schools = society in miniature (prepares young people for life and wider adult society)
- Meritocratic
- People earn their status positions + individual achievements
Parsons – bridge between values – schools are secondary socialisation
Particularistic values Universalistic values
+ ascribed status + achieved status
Schultz – human capital theory
The knowledge, skills, assets, that an individual or workforce has which increases workforces
value and usefulness to employers.
- Vocational education meets the needs of the economy + boosts economy
- Improving quality of basic skills of the workforce – better meet the needs
of employers and take advantage of the wide range of jobs opening up
with globalisation.
Globalisation – the growing interconnectedness of societies across the world, with the
spread of the same culture, consumer goods and economic interests across the globe.
