Education
01 Outline two reasons why marketisation policies may produce
inequality of educational achievement between social classes
(4 marks)
Schools have the option to select their best students to be represented in league
tables. Selected students are usually middle-class students causing a divide
between them and working-class students who are considered to have low
attainment. This is known as cream skimming.
Marketisation influenced parentocracy. Middle class parents can use their
cultural capital to get their children in the best schools whilst the working class
are left with schools that are not as high in achievement.
02 Outline three reasons for gender differences in educational
achievement
(6 marks)
One reason for gender differences in school is the feminisation of schools. Girls’
achievement more because they have role models who show that girls can be
more than just traditional housewives which encourages them to work hard for a
career. However, this means boys have less male role models.
Another reason for gender differences is changes in employment. There are
more job opportunities for girls to work. This means that education fells
purposeful and necessary. However, globalisation means there is less demand
for manual jobs which were typically dominated by men. Therefore, boys have
less to work towards. Another reason for gender differences is socialisation. Boys
are typically socialised into being active, thrill seekers, all attributes not suited
for an academic environment. However girls spend their leisure time in bedroom
culture, which is suited for subjects like English meaning they perform better.
03. Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.
Item A
According to Marx, capitalism is based on the ownership of the means of
production by a wealthy minority. Capitalism continues to exist because each
new generation of workers is forced to undertake low-paid, alienating work to
survive. This makes capitalism potentially unstable, since it depends on the
proletariat not seeking to overthrow this unequal system.
Applying material from Item A, analyse two ways in which the education
system might serve the needs of capitalism.
(10 marks)
Bowles and Gintis argue that the education system is run like a business and
serves the needs of capitalism. The hidden curriculum teaches students to obey
authority without question and work hard even though they will "undertake low-
paid, alienating work to survive". This is at the cost of the working class who are
caught up in false class consciousness. One strength of this is that it explains
, why many working-class students leave school early to go and work. This shows
how the capitalist system uses school as a means of reproducing workers.
However, this may be too deterministic as many individuals in the working class
go onto higher education and can build successful careers for themselves.
Willis conducted a study on 12 working class boys in school and found that they
created an anti-school subculture. They rejected authority and misbehaved,
showing that the working class have the potential to "overthrow this unequal
system". However, the "lads" rejection of schools means that they did not
achieve any qualifications for a good career. Instead, they had low paid jobs.
One strength of this is that it shows that not all working class individuals are
blinded by the rule of the bourgeoisie and have the agency to reject their
oppression.
Another strength is that it shows how the working class and middle-class
students are suited differently in schools. Middle class students have the same
values as capitalists so achieve high grades and get into good careers whereas
the values of the working class don't align with the capitalist system therefore,
they struggle to fit in.
04. Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.
Item B
Social class differences in achievement are found at all stages of the education
system and sociologists have put forward several explanations for these
differences. Some sociologists focus on factors outside school, such as the
material circumstances of pupils' families or the ways in which parents socialise
their children. Other sociologists see factors internal to the education system
itself as responsible.
However, it can be argued that it is the interaction between these external and
internal factors that produces class differences in educational achievement.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate
sociological explanations of social class differences in educational
achievement,
[30 marks]
Howard put forward the idea that "material circumstances of pupils families" is a
major factor that contributes to social class differences in achievement. Their
argument is that poor nutritional diet amongst working class families impacts the
way in which students participate in school. Working class families especially
those in poverty may not have the money to pay for food rich in vitamins or any
food at all. Therefore, students are not consuming enough food to keep them
energised for school. For example, children may not be able to focus as well and
participate to the best of their ability in the classroom discussions and activities.
This means that whilst they are in school, they miss out on vital information
essential for their exams. Furthermore, working class students may be too tired
or hungry to complete any homework. Many of these students may get too ill to
attend school hence why diet is an important factor why working-class
achievement is significantly lower than middle class achievement.
One strength of this theory is that it has contributed to policies like free school
01 Outline two reasons why marketisation policies may produce
inequality of educational achievement between social classes
(4 marks)
Schools have the option to select their best students to be represented in league
tables. Selected students are usually middle-class students causing a divide
between them and working-class students who are considered to have low
attainment. This is known as cream skimming.
Marketisation influenced parentocracy. Middle class parents can use their
cultural capital to get their children in the best schools whilst the working class
are left with schools that are not as high in achievement.
02 Outline three reasons for gender differences in educational
achievement
(6 marks)
One reason for gender differences in school is the feminisation of schools. Girls’
achievement more because they have role models who show that girls can be
more than just traditional housewives which encourages them to work hard for a
career. However, this means boys have less male role models.
Another reason for gender differences is changes in employment. There are
more job opportunities for girls to work. This means that education fells
purposeful and necessary. However, globalisation means there is less demand
for manual jobs which were typically dominated by men. Therefore, boys have
less to work towards. Another reason for gender differences is socialisation. Boys
are typically socialised into being active, thrill seekers, all attributes not suited
for an academic environment. However girls spend their leisure time in bedroom
culture, which is suited for subjects like English meaning they perform better.
03. Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.
Item A
According to Marx, capitalism is based on the ownership of the means of
production by a wealthy minority. Capitalism continues to exist because each
new generation of workers is forced to undertake low-paid, alienating work to
survive. This makes capitalism potentially unstable, since it depends on the
proletariat not seeking to overthrow this unequal system.
Applying material from Item A, analyse two ways in which the education
system might serve the needs of capitalism.
(10 marks)
Bowles and Gintis argue that the education system is run like a business and
serves the needs of capitalism. The hidden curriculum teaches students to obey
authority without question and work hard even though they will "undertake low-
paid, alienating work to survive". This is at the cost of the working class who are
caught up in false class consciousness. One strength of this is that it explains
, why many working-class students leave school early to go and work. This shows
how the capitalist system uses school as a means of reproducing workers.
However, this may be too deterministic as many individuals in the working class
go onto higher education and can build successful careers for themselves.
Willis conducted a study on 12 working class boys in school and found that they
created an anti-school subculture. They rejected authority and misbehaved,
showing that the working class have the potential to "overthrow this unequal
system". However, the "lads" rejection of schools means that they did not
achieve any qualifications for a good career. Instead, they had low paid jobs.
One strength of this is that it shows that not all working class individuals are
blinded by the rule of the bourgeoisie and have the agency to reject their
oppression.
Another strength is that it shows how the working class and middle-class
students are suited differently in schools. Middle class students have the same
values as capitalists so achieve high grades and get into good careers whereas
the values of the working class don't align with the capitalist system therefore,
they struggle to fit in.
04. Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.
Item B
Social class differences in achievement are found at all stages of the education
system and sociologists have put forward several explanations for these
differences. Some sociologists focus on factors outside school, such as the
material circumstances of pupils' families or the ways in which parents socialise
their children. Other sociologists see factors internal to the education system
itself as responsible.
However, it can be argued that it is the interaction between these external and
internal factors that produces class differences in educational achievement.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate
sociological explanations of social class differences in educational
achievement,
[30 marks]
Howard put forward the idea that "material circumstances of pupils families" is a
major factor that contributes to social class differences in achievement. Their
argument is that poor nutritional diet amongst working class families impacts the
way in which students participate in school. Working class families especially
those in poverty may not have the money to pay for food rich in vitamins or any
food at all. Therefore, students are not consuming enough food to keep them
energised for school. For example, children may not be able to focus as well and
participate to the best of their ability in the classroom discussions and activities.
This means that whilst they are in school, they miss out on vital information
essential for their exams. Furthermore, working class students may be too tired
or hungry to complete any homework. Many of these students may get too ill to
attend school hence why diet is an important factor why working-class
achievement is significantly lower than middle class achievement.
One strength of this theory is that it has contributed to policies like free school
