External Factors, Class Underachievement

External Factors, Class Underachievement

1. Cultural Deprevation

   • The theory that many w/c and black children are poorly socialised and so lack the 'right' culture needed for educational success
   • Bernstein
     • Elaborate Code and Restricted Code
       • Elaborate code is used by middle class, wide vocab. longer, complex sentences, varied speech, abstract ideas, context free
       • Restricted code, used by working class, limited vocab. short, simple sentences, predictable speech, may only be a gesture, context bound
   • Hyman
     • "self - imposed barrier" to educational/financial success, w/c children don't think they can do well and therefore don't try
   • Sugarman
     • Fatalism
       • "What will be will be" the idea that there is nothing you can do to change your status
     • Collectivism
       • Valuing being part of a group more than succeeding as an individual
     • Immediate Gratification
       • Seeking pleasure now rather than making sacrifices now to gain reward later
     • Present time orientation
       • Seeing the present as more important than the future
   • Compensatory Education
     • Sesame Street
       • Taught children punctuality, maths, literacy and general knowledge ect.
   • Criticisms
     • Keddie
       • Victim blaming explanation, it is the fault of the education system that is dominated by middle class value
     • Troyna and Williams
       • Schools have a speech heirarchy, it is not the childrens fault it is the schools attitude

2. Material Deprivation

   • Refers to poverty and a lack of material necessities
   • Examples
     • Poor housing, effects childs health and welfare, illness spreads quicker, increases chance of accidents
     • Poor diet, weakens immune system, increase in absence from school, low energy levels make it hard to concentrate
     • Behaviour problems, will have a negative effect on the childs educational success

3. Cultural Capital

   • Reference to the knowledge, attitudes, values, language, tastes and abilities of the middle class - advantage over working class
   • Education favours m/c, w/c children feel that school devalues them and makes them feel inferior
   • "Selection by mortgage" - demand for houses in the catchment areas of good schools
   • Successful students usually come from middle class families

4. Marketisation and Parental Choice

   • Education market, can choose which school your children go to