Topic 5 - Neoliberalism and the New Right perspective on education

Neoliberalism - economic doctrine, had major influence on ed policy. Argue state shouldn't provide services eg ed, health + welfare. Neoliberal ideas influenced all govs since 1979 - whether Conservative, Labour or Coalition.

NL based on idea state must not dictate to people how to dispose of own property + shouldn't try to regulate free-market economy. So govs should encourage competition, privatise state-run businesses + deregulate markets.

NLs argue value of ed lies in how well it enables country to compete in global marketplace. Claim can only be achieved if schools become more like businesses, empowering parents + pupils as consumers + using comp b/ween schools to drive up standards.

Conservative political view that incorporates neoliberal economic ideas. Central principle is state can't meet people's needs + people best left to meet own needs through free market - for this reason, NR favour marketisation of ed.

Similarities b/ween NR + functionalist views:
 - both believe some naturally more talented than others
 - both favour ed sys run on meritocratic principles of open comp + one that serves needs of economy by preparing young people for work.
 - both believe ed should socialise pupils into shared values eg comp, + instil sense of national identity.

Key diff b/ween func + NR - NR don't believe current ed sys achieving these goals. Reason for failure - run by state. NR - state ed sys take 'one size fits all approach' - imposing uniformity + disregarding local needs. Local consumers - no say. State ed sys therefore unresponsive + inefficient. Schools waste money/get poor results - not answerable to consumers. Means lower standard achievements for pupils, less qualified workforce + less prosperous economy. NR solution to problems - marketisation. Believe comp b/ween schools -> greater diversity, choice + efficiency to schools + increase schools' ability to meet needs of consumers.

Chubb + Moe (1990) - state-run ed in US failed because:
 - not created equal opp + has failed needs of disadv'd groups
 - inefficient b/c fails to produce pupils w/ skills needed by econ
 - private schools deliver higher quality ed b/c unlike state schools, answerable to paying consumers - parents.

Base arguments on comparison of achievements of 60,000 pupils from low-income families in 1,015 state + private high schools w/ findings of parent survey + case studies of 'failing' schools being 'turned around'. Evidence shows pupils from low-income families consistently do about 5% better in private schools. Based on findings, C + M call for intro of market sys in state ed - would control in hands of consumers. Argue would allow consumers to shape schools to meet own needs + would improve quality + efficiency,

Propose sys where family given voucher to spend on buying ed from school of choice - forces schools to become more responsive to parents' wishes since vouchers would be school's mains ource of income. Attract customers by improving product. Already at work in private sector. C + M - ed standards improved by introducing same market forces into state sector.

In NR, remains 2 important roles for state:
 - state imposes framework on schools w/in have to compete. Eg by publishing Ofsted inspection reports + league tables of schools' exam results - state gives parents info can make more informed choice b/ween schools w/
 - state ensures schools transmit shared culture. By imposing single National Curriculu, seeks to guarantee schools socialise pupils into single cultural heritage

NR believe ed should affirm national identity. Eg curriculum should emphasise Britain's positive role in world history + teach British lit + should be Christian act of worship in school each day b/c Christianity Britain's main religion. Aim to integrate pupils into single set of traditions + cultural values. B/c of this, NR also oppose multicultural ed reflects cultures of diff minority groups in Britain.

Gerwitz (1995) + Ball (1994) both argue comp b/ween schools benefits m/c who can use cultural + econ capital to gain access to more desirabe schools.

Critics argue real cause of low ed standards not state control but social inequality + inadequate funding of state schools.

Contradiction b/ween NR's support for parental choice + state imposing compulsory NC on all its schools.

Marxists argue ed doesn't impose shared national culture as NR claim - imposes culture of dom minority ruling class + devalues culture of w/c + ethnic minorities.