Impact of educational policies

Education Acts and Policies

The 1944 Education Act, also known as the Butler Act, established the tripartite system of grammar, secondary modern and technical schools which has had a long-standing effect on the education system.
The act aimed at providing equality of opportunity but resulted in a system that perpetuated class division and inequality.
The 1988 Education Act introduced the National Curriculum, SATs and OFSTED inspections. These measures standardized education across schools and created a competitive environment.

Policies Promoting Marketisation

The Open Enrolment and Parental Choice policies aimed to introduce market principles into the education system by encouraging competition between schools.
Academies and Free Schools break away from LEA control, inspiring competition.
Critics argue these policies have led to increased stratification and segregation, especially along class lines.

Policies Addressing Educational Inequalities

Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) aimed to encourage students from lower-income families to stay in education post-16.
Pupil Premium policy provides additional funding to schools to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Critics argue these do not tackle root causes of societal inequalities and merely provide superficial solutions.

Policies focussed on Vocational Education

Vocationalism policies, such as the introduction of NVQs and GNVQs, aimed to provide non-academic routes for students.
These policies were met with mixed responses, with some critics suggesting they reinforce class-based inequalities by tracking working-class students into vocational routes.

Policies reflecting Multiculturalism

Policies have been introduced to provide a more multicultural curriculum, promote racial equality and tackle racist bullying.
The effectiveness of these policies is debated, with some arguing they do not go far enough in promoting genuine diversity and challenging stereotypes.

Remember, evaluating the impact of educational policies involves considering their intended and actual outcomes, as well as potential criticisms. Be sure to illustrate your answers with specific policy examples for a comprehensive understanding of the topic.