Unlike functionalists, NR don't believe that the current system
is achieving its goals. This is because state has too much
control, parents, pupils and employers have no say in how
schools are run. Hence they favour the marketisation of
education system so there is competition to drive up standards
by introducing choice and input of parents and pupils.
Agree with functionalists on goals of education: meritocracy; preparing people
for work; socialise norms and values; some are more talented than others.
Chubb & Moe: State Run
Education Has Failed Its Users
It does not achieve equal opportunities
for disadvantaged groups like working
class and ethnic minorities.
It does not give pupils skills needed for
jobs, failing economic needs, like how
to write a CV and job interviews.
Whereas private schools, which parents pay for delivers high quality
education because they are accountable and answer to parents.
Disadvantaged groups perform 5% better at private schools.
Therefore state schools should be more connected with the market sector
as parental and pupil input would drive up standards. State schools should
no longer received guaranteed funding, instead money should go to
parents who would receive voucher for their child's schooling.
The State Can Have
Some Role In Education
Putting together official frameworks by
which schools can compete eg. Ofsted
reports and league tables.
Ensure all schools teach same norms
and values so all of society is socialised
the same eg. National Curriculum.
Criticism: Choice only benefits middle
classes who understand and can manipulate
ways of choosing best schools.
Criticism: Marxists argue that instead of schools
socialising children into shared culture, they
socialise pupils into culture of borgeoisie.