The role of Education in Society

Compulsary Education for all: 

Forster's Education Act 1870:  School boards were set up in places were schooling was inadequate. 

Between 1870 and 1880, 4000 schools were set up within Britain. 

The Fisher Education Act 1918 made state responsible for secondary education, education was made compulsary until 14. 

The school leaving age was then moved to 15 in 1947 and 16 in 1972. 

In 1870, Britain's dominance was being challenged by nations such as Germany, so they therefore educated more 

There was some arugments against education for all, as many were scared that it would make the working class 'think' and therefore they may rebel. 

Since the 1960's, post 16 education has improved dramatically.

Functionalist aproach: 

They believe that education has 3 main purposes: 

Socialisation: It socialies children into knowing cultural values. Durkheim argued that education should emphazise the moral responisbilities people had towards each other. Parsons suggested that it formed a bridge between the family and the outside world. In the family particularistic standards apply, where as in society, universalistic standards apply. Education helps make this easier, and shows the harder you work, the more likely you are to succeed. 

Skills provision: 

Education teaches children…