Theoretical views on the role of education

Functionalism and the Role of Education

Emphasises the positive functions of education – creating social solidarity, teaching core values and work skills.
Durkheim argues that education creates a ‘collective conscience’ by transmitting society’s culture to the younger generations.
Parsons states that education is an important mechanism for the transmission of universalistic standards.
Davis & Moore suggest that education acts as a device for effective role allocation by sifting and sorting individuals into appropriate occupational roles.

Marxism and the Role of Education

Looks at education as a means of maintaining capitalist inequalities.
Althusser argues that education is an ideological state apparatus that serves to reproduce capitalist class relations.
Bowles and Gintis suggest the correspondence principle – the structure of education mirrors the structure of the workplace in capitalist society.
Willis explains how pupils may resist school and yet still end up in working class jobs. This process is referred to as the “lads’ counter-school culture”.

Feminism and the Role of Education

Investigates the role of education in reproducing gender inequalities.
Oakley suggests that schools reinforce existing gender stereotypes and sustain patriarchal society.
Spender argues that education favours males, thus privileging them in society.
Arnot and Weiner claim that girls’ academic success has improved due to changes in the wider society and legislation such as the Sex Discrimination Act.

Postmodernism and the Role of Education

Argues for the recognition of diversity and plurality in the education system.
Postmodernists such as Lyon criticise the ‘one size fits all’ approach to education and advocate for more personalised learning approaches.
They contend that education should reflect the flexible, diverse, and rapidly changing nature of postmodern society.
Usher and Edwards argue that the future of learning is likely to be increasingly outside traditional educational institutions.

New Right and the Role of Education

Advocates for free market principles and competition in education.
Chubb and Moe claim that state-controlled education has failed because it does not meet the needs of pupils, parents, or employers.
The New Right calls for marketisation of education to raise standards.
The National Curriculum represents the New Right’s beliefs about what culture (knowledge) is worth transmitting to future generations.

Remember, each perspective presents a different view of the role of education in society and consequently, the nature and causes of educational inequalities. It’s important to understand both their arguments and their criticisms for a rounded understanding of the topic.