Education & Social Policy

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  • Created by: Lilly
  • Created on: 23-01-13 19:35

The Foster Education Act- 1870

  • Made education compulsory from ages 5-11 (raised to 13 years olf in 1880). in an attempt to educate the masses and eliminate the social class divide. 

E- May not have helped W/C, wouldn't have been learning skills for working. 

  • Paresnts now had the choice of 3 types of school:

1- Grammar Schools -FEES

2-Elementary schools

Public schools- FEES

E- althought the foster act (1870) tried to eliminate socail class inequality in education, this only catered up to age of 13/13 years olf. Asd such, once pupils left their first schools it was the middle class that were able to go into Secondary schooling- creating a social class divide. 

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The Butler Education Act- 1944

  • Created by R.A. BUtler (1902-82)
  • World war 2 was coming to an end, and there was an emphasis in the UK to create 'A land fit for heros' 
  • The Conservative government thus 'opened up' secondary education to the masses= reduce social inequalities within education
  • As a result the Tri-Partite system was introduced. (Secondary modern school W/C, Technical school W/C, grammer school M/C
  • The idea was created- 'Parity of Esteem' Eqaulity of opportunity between the social classes- meritocratic ideology. 

E- Some would say that examinations are catered towards the upper and middle class- in the language used. 

E- System acctually recreated the social class divide, rather than eliminate it. 

E-Middle class children had better primary schooling- could do better in 11+ exam- possibly had priavate tutros

E-Negative stigma attatched to secondary modern schools created a negative self-fulfilling prophecy for the W/C 

E-Teahcers in Secondary modern schools, lower paid- arguably less qualified/moticated. There were also poor resources in Seconday modern schools- material deprevation. 

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Comprehensivisation- 1965

  • Means, covering or involving much, inclusive. 
  • Conservative schools are schools that everyone attends regardless of ability or socail class. The 11+ exam was abolished and a child's schooling was dependent on their 'catchement area.'
  • This aimed to ensure that they would get 'Parity of esteem' and 'equality' within education- same teachers, facilities and resources. 

E-With all people in one school, important to make sure all abilities were catered for, led to setting and streamning- still highlighted social class divide 

E- higher ability studetns held back by lower ones, and vice-versa. 

E- M/C areas get M/C comprehensive schools, W/C get WC schools. M/C parents could afford to pay for public schooling.

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Educational Priority Areas- 1965

  • Recognised that although comprehensive schools aimed at closing the social class divide, W/C areas were home to W/C schools. 
  • These 'deprived' schools were listed as 'priority' schools and accordingly they recieved additional funding and resources to compensate
  • Known as positive discrimination. 
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Education Reform Act -1988

  • Landmark for the new educational system, that is still in place today- Conservative government policy
  • Introduction of the National cirriculum ( took power away from schools and teachers as they previously had authority over what was taught. )
  • Introduction of Inspection- OFSTED.
  • Testing and League tables
  • Marketing forces- competition- marketisation
  • Vocationalism- job based study
  • Local management of schools- LMS

Positives:

-Every schoo, studying same subjects- consistentcy

-Every child had same education

Negatives:

-Didn't stretch pupils

-Wasn't 'national' as private schools didnt and still don;t use NC. 

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