Questions and Answers
What percentage of Britain's children attend private school?
Less than 13% of entrants to Oxford and Cambridge come from a working class background.
True
What are some main aspects of cultural deprivation that may affect working class children's education?
What term describes the mode of speech used by middle class individuals?
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Who argues that working class underachievement is linked to parents' lack of interest?
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What parenting style do educated parents typically have that promotes achievement?
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Cultural deprivation refers to lacking the correct ______ to achieve well in education.
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Study Notes
Class Differences in Educational Achievement
- 7% of British children attend private school, indicating significant class disparity in education.
- Less than 13% of new entrants to Oxford and Cambridge universities originate from working-class backgrounds.
- In disadvantaged areas, up to 50% of children begin school lacking essential language and communication skills.
- Middle-class children typically outperform working-class peers, with the achievement gap widening as students grow older.
- Children from middle-class families are more likely to achieve higher GCSE results and continue into higher education.
- Middle-class parents can afford private schooling, which offers smaller class sizes and better resources, leading to higher chances of university placements at elite institutions.
Cultural Deprivation Theory
- Cultural deprivation refers to a lack of necessary norms, values, attitudes, and language skills crucial for academic success.
- Primary socialization (age 0-5) within the family is critical for developing foundational educational skills.
- Children from working-class families may lack the cultural tools required for success, resulting in underachievement.
- Three key areas of cultural deprivation:
- Language skills
- Parents' education level
- The influence of working-class subculture
Language Factors in Cultural Deprivation
- Working-class children often use simplified language, consisting of single words and short sentences, hindering their educational development.
- Bernstein identifies two speech codes:
- Restricted code (working-class): Simple, often grammatically incorrect language.
- Elaborated code (middle-class): Complex sentences and a wider vocabulary.
- The elaborated code is preferred in educational settings, giving middle-class children an advantage and leaving working-class children feeling excluded.
- Early exposure allows middle-class children to master the elaborated code before starting school, easing their integration and reducing stress.
- Some critiques suggest that schools fail to bridge this language gap, contributing to the lack of success for working-class students.
Parental Education and Its Impact
- Douglas emphasizes that working-class underachievement is partly due to less parental interest in education, evidenced by attendance at parent-teacher events.
- Feinstein asserts the educational level of parents significantly impacts children's academic performance.
- Parenting styles vary:
- Educated parents: Emphasize discipline, high expectations, and encourage independence.
- Less educated parents: Often enforce harsh discipline, focusing on compliance over exploration, which can impede motivation and teacher interaction.
- Educationally informed parents are more likely to engage in activities that support learning, such as homework assistance and educational trips.
- Better-educated parents tend to have higher incomes and make spending choices that promote their children's educational success.
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Description
This quiz explores the factors contributing to class differences in educational achievement, focusing on both external and internal influences. It examines trends in school attendance and performance across different socio-economic backgrounds. Ideal for students studying sociology or education.
