External Factors for Under-achievement of Working-Class

J.W.B Douglas' study 'the home and the school'. He argues that the reason for the failure of working-class(wc) pupils in educational achievement, is the lack of parental interest. He suggested that the wc parents are less likely to help their children with education by reading a book with them or carrying out educational activities. This is seen as the cause for wc pupils scoring less when teachers carried out tests.

Where as the middle-class(mc) pupils scored higher because their parents helped them to intellectually develop their skills by choosing educational toys for them and reading a book with them.

Bernstein and Engelmann distinguished between two types of speech code.

Restricted (wc):

• Use limited vocabulary
• Short, simple sentences
• Context-bound

Elaborated (mc):

• Use wide range of vocabulary
• Complex sentences
• Context-free

Sugarman identifies four types of values and beliefs held by the wc pupils.

• Present-time orientation- do not plan for future, think about now.
• Immediate gratification- don't believe in gaining rewards later, want satisfaction now.
• Collectivism- stay in groups, don't think about individual achievement.
• Fatalism- accept failure as fate, its going to happen anyway.

P? In Chocolate Factory

P?(pick a word/name with 'p')

The following housing + health factors affect wc pupils' educational achievement.

• Overcrowded homes

=lack of concentration

• Lack of study space

=less work completed

• Lacking in vitamins + nutrients

=no energy

=lack of concentration

=less school attendance