The links between social class and educational achievement Essay

The links between social class and educational achievement There have been many theories about social class and educational achievement and this essay will concentrate on the conflict theory and the functionalist theory. This essay will examine the links between class and achievement. It will describe and critically analyse the different sociological theories on education relating to class, and apply these theories to educational experiences, structure and practices. The different perspectives will be used to analyse inequality in relation to different social classes in the UK. This essay will also provide evidence of inequality in British education and identify and evaluate key policy developments in education provision in relation to social class Functionalist theory focuses on the ways the education system as a whole meets the needs of society. It emphasises the interdependence of the social system and stresses the process and behaviours that maintain it. Durkheim (cited in Haralambos et al: 2000:777) ‘saw the major function of education as the transmission of society’s norms and values’. Functionalist theory believes that schools should serve intellectual, political and social purposes (Sadovnik et al: 2001). Functionalists believe that schools ‘foster the value of equality of opportunity’ by placing pupils in the same situation in the classroom (Haralambos et al: 779). They maintain that education sorts students based on their ability, as argued by Parsons: †¦[students] conduct is assessed against the yardstick of the school rules; their achievement is measured by their performance in examinations†¦the same standards are applied to all students regardless of ascribed characteristics such as sex, race, family... ...will have long term positive results’ (Haralambos et al 2004: p621). Sure start was criticised that its impact on children and their parents was unsatisfactory. ‘However it is too early to assess its impact on children’s formal education’ (ibid). These policies have been created because there is a LINK between class and achievement for example working class pupils do less well in school. Summary This essay has discussed and critically analysed the different social theories of education relating to class, it has applied these theories to educational experiences, structures and practices. It has addressed different social theories of inequality in relation to social classes. This essay has also provided evidence of inequality in British education and finally identified and evaluated key policy developments in education provision in relation to social class.