The role of education; Functionalism + the New Right

The role of education; Functionalism + the New Right

1. Functionalists perspective on edu

   • Durkheim; 2 functions-solidarity+skills
     • Society needs a sense of solidarity-people feel part of a community (not be selfish) =Edu transmits culture (beliefs+values)
       • school-a society in mini, preping us for wider society Eg cooperating with other people
     • Edu teaches specialist knowledge +skills needed to play their part in the social division of labour
   • Parsons meritocracy
     • School is the focal socialising agency-acts as a bridge between family+wider society as they operate on different principles
       • Family-child status-ascribed (fixed) Society judges everyone by same universalistic+impersonal standards Same laws Society-status is acheived
   • Davis+Moore; role allocation
     • Inequality is necessary to ensure the most talented fill important roles Society offers high rewards for these roles=competition+selection
       • Edu provides a ground for ability Individuals can show what they can do The most able gain the highest qualifications
   • Eval
     • Evidence shows that equal opportunity don't exist
     • Davis+moore put forward a cicular argument (a job is important because it is highly rewarded+it is highly rewarded because it is important)
     • Marxists-edu-transmts ideology of ruling class
     • Functionalists have an over-socialised view of people as mere puppets Pupils dont just accept all they are taught

2. New rights perspective on education (favour marketisation of edu)

   • Same as funcs-believe some are naturally more talented, favour edu system with competition+preping children for work+believe edu should instil culture
     • Key difference New Right don't believe edu system is acheiving these goals
   • Politicians, etc. use their power to impose there view The state takes a 1-size-fits-all approach+consumers have no say
     • Bad schools are not answerable to their consumers=low standards=less qualified workforce+less prosperous economy
       • Solution=marketisation; Competition to empower consumers Greater diversity, choice+efficiency
   • Chubb+Moe; believe American state edu needs marketisation
     • Disadvan groups-badly served by state edu Failed to create equality+teach pupils needed skills Private schools-better as they are answerable to parents
       • Based on; comparing acheivement of 60,000 pupils from state+private schools+parent surveys+case studies Low income pupils do better in private edu
     • Propose a system in which families given a voucher for a school of their choice=competition
   • 2 roles for state; to impose framework for competing schools+ensure schools transmitt culture(national curriculum)
   • Eval
     • Class inequality as MC have advan (cultural+economic capital)
     • Low edu standards result of social inequality +inadequate funding not state control
     • Contradiction-parental choice but imposed national curriculum
     • Marxists argue edu imposes not culture but culture of ruling class