New Right

Question 1

What is the New Right view?

Answer 1

Political =

• State cannot meet peoples needs; peoples needs need to be met through the free market - private businesses competing.

Question 2

How do the New Right believe education will become more like a competing business?

Answer 2

Through marketisation and parentocracy:

• e.g. ERA.

Question 3

How are New Right similar to functionalists?

Answer 3

1) . They believe some people are naturally more talented than others.
2) . Education should be meritocratic –> it opens competition.
3) . Education should socialise pupils and instil shared values.

Question 4

Why do New Right say education is a ‘one size fits all’ system?

Answer 4

State-run education cannot meet individual and community needs, or the needs of employers for skilled and motivated workers, therefore, its a one size fits all system.

Question 5

How do state schools have lower standards?

Answer 5

They aren’t accountable for who uses there service (consumers), so;

• Schools that get poor results don’t change as they don’t have anyone to answer to (consumers).
• This leads to lower standards and a less qualified workforce.

Question 6

What do New Right say the solution to the issue in education is?

Answer 6

Marketisation = creating an education market;

• Forces schools to respond to the needs of pupils, parents and employers –> competition between schools force teachers to be more efficient.
• Bringing in policies (e.g. league tables) allows competition –> a schools success depends on standards of teaching.

Question 7

Why do Chubb and Moe say state education has failed?

Answer 7

It’s failed because it doesn’t have to meet the pupils’ needs;

• Their data shows low-income families do 5% better in private schools because they are answerable to their consumers.

Question 8

What is Chubb and Moe’s solution, based on their findings?

Answer 8

Marketisation, based on a voucher system;

• Parents would be given a voucher to spend on a school of their choice.
• Schools would have to be more responsive to consumer needs as the vouchers would be their main source of income –> placing control in the hands of the consumer.

Question 9

What role does the state still need in education?

Answer 9

1). Framework for competition =

Produce league tables, national curriculums, etc, in order to provide competition, which will promote high standards of teaching.

2). Shared norms =

State needs to ensure that schools instil society’s culture through the curriculum.

Question 10

What are the criticisms of the New Right perspective on education?

Answer 10

1) . There are other reasons for the increase in standards, apart from marketisation.
2) . Critics say that low standards is dues to a lack in stat funding, rather than state control.

Question 11

How does Gerwirtz criticise the New Right?

Answer 11

Competition in schools benefit m/c as they can get their children into desired schools.

Question 12

How do Marxists criticise the New Right?

Answer 12

Argue that education impose capitalist values, not a shared culture.