Social Class and Education
Glossary Main points Evaluation
● Social Class- a Social Class is the biggest indicator of educational ● The education system largely
group of people achievement. operates in favour of the
of a similar Statistics: middle class, putting the
status in the ★ White W/C boys are the lowest achievers. working class at a
same economic ★ W/C are consistently at the bottom of the disadvantage.
situation. education system.
● Material Outside of School:
Deprivation- the Cultural Deprivation- lack of norms and values.
inability to Sugarman 1970
afford basic W/C are deprived of certain norms and values, so
resources. primary socialisation is to blame for the way they
bring up their children.
● Cultural Capital-
the skills, Time Orientation: Working class focus on the
knowledge, norms present.
and values, which ● They focus on their needs at that
can be used to particular time.
get ahead in ● Only able to think about the present due
educational life. to their financial situation.
● Education looks at the future because it is
● Labelling- based around that orientation.
attaching a
meaning to Attitude to Gratification: Immediate of
someone and deferred reaction to reward.
using it to define ● The longer you put off rewards, the
them. better you’ll do in education- wait for the
long term rewards of having good grades.
● Setting-
Students are put Collectivism vs Individualism: Working as a group
in different of being independant.
groups for all the ● The working class must be collectivised in
subjects based order to get by.
on ability. ● Middle class are independent, which
benefits them in school, because you work
● Streaming- to get your own grades.
Students are in
the same groups Attitudes to luck:
for all subjects Fatalistic- Believe you have no control over your
based on their fate.
overall ability. Individualistic- Believe we have control over your
own fate.
● Self Fulfilling
Glossary Main points Evaluation
● Social Class- a Social Class is the biggest indicator of educational ● The education system largely
group of people achievement. operates in favour of the
of a similar Statistics: middle class, putting the
status in the ★ White W/C boys are the lowest achievers. working class at a
same economic ★ W/C are consistently at the bottom of the disadvantage.
situation. education system.
● Material Outside of School:
Deprivation- the Cultural Deprivation- lack of norms and values.
inability to Sugarman 1970
afford basic W/C are deprived of certain norms and values, so
resources. primary socialisation is to blame for the way they
bring up their children.
● Cultural Capital-
the skills, Time Orientation: Working class focus on the
knowledge, norms present.
and values, which ● They focus on their needs at that
can be used to particular time.
get ahead in ● Only able to think about the present due
educational life. to their financial situation.
● Education looks at the future because it is
● Labelling- based around that orientation.
attaching a
meaning to Attitude to Gratification: Immediate of
someone and deferred reaction to reward.
using it to define ● The longer you put off rewards, the
them. better you’ll do in education- wait for the
long term rewards of having good grades.
● Setting-
Students are put Collectivism vs Individualism: Working as a group
in different of being independant.
groups for all the ● The working class must be collectivised in
subjects based order to get by.
on ability. ● Middle class are independent, which
benefits them in school, because you work
● Streaming- to get your own grades.
Students are in
the same groups Attitudes to luck:
for all subjects Fatalistic- Believe you have no control over your
based on their fate.
overall ability. Individualistic- Believe we have control over your
own fate.
● Self Fulfilling
