In what ways do social class, gender and ethnicity intersect with educational attainment and participation? Provide some examples to illustrate.
Nearly thirteen years into the new millennium and so many of the gaps most noticeable within the education system in the twentieth century have been closed. Attainment and participation in both primary and secondary education is now almost equally open to boys and girls from around the world, and tertiary education is even seeing a bias in women’s attendance over men. However, despite these positive changes, social class, gender and ethnicity still have a major impact on education and intersect with not only attendance, but with personal achievement too. Since the industrial revolution in the mid 1700s, our world has changed dramatically. Education, through new technologies and the creation of new jobs, has become a compulsory and necessary part of our lives. With focus on economy, politics and individualization rather than the traditional household and religious roles of life, we have become much more dependent on knowledge, as education provides multicultural experiences for many different classes that home life would just not be able to do. First of all I am going to investigate social class and it’s impact on educational achievement. Worldwide, 121 million children are denied access to education, especially in low-income countries and there are many reasons for this. It can depend on their teachers, peer influence, parental guidance, financial situations, willingness to learn and willingness to succeed. Children from lower classes or those in poverty, while they may still avail of free public education and may be forced into compulsory education by the law, they still do not have to try to attain anything or to achieve anything in school. Teachers may not give them the attention they deserve because of their social class; their parents may not be supportive and may not care how well they do,
References: * Mac an Ghaill, M. (1994) The Making of Men: Masculinities, Sexualities & Schooling * http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/glenstal-abbey-crowned-irelands-top-school-186633.html * Page, E. Jha, J. Commonwealth (2009) Exploring the Bias: Gender + Stereotyping in Secondary Schools * OECD (2010) PISA 2009 results learning trends: changes in student performances since 2000 * http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWDR2012/Resources/7778105-1299699968583/7786210-1315936222006/chapter-3.pdf * Source: WDR 2012 team estimates based on World Development Indicators. * OECD PISA (2006) http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWDR2012/Resources/7778105-1299699968583/7786210-1315936222006/chapter-3.pdf * Source: Faas, D. Ross, W. (2012) “Identity and Diversity and citizenship”, International Sociology 27(4) 574-59 * Connors H, Tyers C., Modood T, Hillage J. (2004) ResearchReport RR552, Department of Education and Skills