AQA A-Level Sociology - Education

Introduction

• Focus: A-level Sociology Paper 1 on Education, with a second part on Theory and Methods.
• Structure:
  • 80 marks, 2 hours
  • Section 1 (Education): 50 marks, 4 questions
  • Other sections: Methods in Context, Theory and Methods.

Key Topics in Education

1. Functionalism

• Durkheim's Social Solidarity:

  • Education socializes individuals to shared norms/values.
  • Assemblies, homework, uniform, attendance promote community.

• Parsons' Bridge Theory & Meritocracy:

  • School bridges family and wider society.
  • Teaches universalistic standards to prepare for work.
  • Meritocracy: Social advancement based on talent/effort.

• Specialized Skills:

  • Education preps students for specific roles (e.g., nursing requires math, English).

• Davis and Moore Role Allocation:

  • Education sorts individuals for societal roles via competition.

• Criticisms:

  • Overlooks inequalities (race, class).
  • Not all students have equal chances due to external factors.

2. Marxism

• Education as Ideological State Apparatus:

  • Reproduces inequalities through resources, ethnocentric curriculum.
  • Government restricts anti-capitalist views in education.

• Specialized Skills from a Marxist Viewpoint:

  • Skills are often predefined by social class rather than personal achievement.

• Correspondence Principle (Bowles & Gintis):

  • School mirrors workplace hierarchy, instills obedience.

• Indoctrination & False Consciousness:

  • Education promotes passive acceptance of authority.

• Paul Willis' Learning to Labour Study:

  • Examines working-class boys' rebellion against school norms.

• Strengths & Weaknesses of Marxist Approach:

  • Exposes meritocracy myth.
  • Overlooks gender and ethnicity issues.

3. Social Policy and Education

• 1944 Education Act:

  • Tripartite system (Grammar, Secondary Modern, Technical Schools).
  • Aimed at equal educational opportunities post-WWII.

• 1965 Comprehensive Education Act:

  • Removed the tripartite system.

• 1988 Education Reform Act (New Right):

  • Marketization, competition, league tables.

• New Labour Policies (1997-2010):

  • Specialist schools, city academies, Sure Start Centres.

• Conservative Policies (2010-2024):

  • Increased tuition fees, Pupil Premium, exam reforms.

4. Globalization

• Giddens & Water's Definitions:

  • Global interconnectedness impacting education.

• Impact on UK Education:

  • Competes globally, PISA rankings.
  • Commodification of students.

5. Internal School Processes

• Hidden Curriculum:

  • Implicit lessons on behavior, discipline.

• Labeling & Self-fulfilling Prophecy:

  • Teachers’ expectations can impact student performance.

• Setting and Streaming:

  • Divides students by perceived ability.

• Subcultures and the Ideal Pupil:

  • Formation of pro/anti-school subcultures.

6. Social Class and Education

• Material Deprivation:

  • Lack of resources, impacts on achievement.

• Cultural Deprivation:

  • Differences in cultural capital affect educational success.

7. Gender and Education

• Female Success vs. Male Underachievement:
  • Feminization of school environment.
  • Subject choice impacts career paths.

8. Ethnicity and Education

• Cultural Deprivation:

  • Language and family structure can affect performance.

• Material Deprivation and Racism:

  • Economic disparities among ethnic groups.

• Institutional Racism:

  • Systemic biases within educational policies.

Conclusion

• Comprehensive coverage of education in the AQA sociology context.
• Upcoming content will include Theory and Methods, as well as additional topics like Family and the Media.

Note: Suggestions for improvement in future videos and requests for additional topics can be provided in comments.