Social Class Education
Social Class and Education
‘Everything we do not have at our birth and which we need when we are grown is given us by education.’
(Jean Jacques Rousseau, Emile, On Philosophy of Education)
Education is essential in society for a number of reasons. Firstly, education is important for developing skills for employment and living. If we did not have basic education, it would severely impact on society. Subsequently, it is possible that society could break down due to the absence, or poor quality of communication and basic skills. The World is dependent upon communication, which is developed through education (Mortimore 1986). Furthermore, another important purpose of education in society is to control unconformity. Education is a way in …show more content…
As attainment levels appear to be affected by the influence of social class, this certainly highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between social class and education; consequently making changes to reduce the gaps in attainment levels.
Furthermore, Davies,J (1980) illustrated that Social Class can create differences in attendance patterns of pupils. Looking at percentage of absence, he found a 7.1 percent difference between attendance of pupils with a non manual family background and pupils from social class 5. In addition to this, Davies discovered a range of 16.1 percent between non manual and unemployed backgrounds. Mortimore (1986) states that attendance rates have been considerably influenced by social class. ‘Whether that is a direct influence (working class parents being less motivated to insist that their children attend school) or an indirect one (pupils with working class backgrounds been less successful in academic life and, therefore, being less committed to the value of schooling) has not yet been resolved satisfactorily.’
(Mortimore, P and Mortimore, J …show more content…
American Anthropologist.
Coleman, J (1966) Equality of Educational Opportunity. Washington D.C. Cited in: Rogers, R(1986) Education and Social Class: Educational Inequalities pp. 117-125. East Sussex, The Falmer Press.
Department for Education (2010) Key Stage 2 Attainment by Pupil Characteristics, in England 2009/10. Department for Education.
Douglas, J. W. B(1964) The Home and the School, London, MacGibbon and Kee.
Little, A.N (1978) Educational Polices for Multi-Racial Areas. Cited in: Rogers, R (1986) Education and Social Class. East Sussex, The Falmer Press.
Mortimore, P, Mortimore, J (1986) Education and Social Class. Cited in: Rogers, R (1986) Education and Social Class. East Sussex, The Falmer Press.
Nutrition and school lunches [Internet], Available from: [Accessed on 13.12.2012].
Rogers, R (1986) Education and Social Class. East Sussex, The Falmer Press.
Willis, P (1977) How working class kids get working class jobs: Learning to Labour. Hampshire, SAXON HOUSE, Teakfield Limited. (17.09.10) Working Class Subculture and Educational Disadvantage [Internet], Available from: [Accessed on:
‘Everything we do not have at our birth and which we need when we are grown is given us by education.’
(Jean Jacques Rousseau, Emile, On Philosophy of Education)
Education is essential in society for a number of reasons. Firstly, education is important for developing skills for employment and living. If we did not have basic education, it would severely impact on society. Subsequently, it is possible that society could break down due to the absence, or poor quality of communication and basic skills. The World is dependent upon communication, which is developed through education (Mortimore 1986). Furthermore, another important purpose of education in society is to control unconformity. Education is a way in …show more content…
As attainment levels appear to be affected by the influence of social class, this certainly highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between social class and education; consequently making changes to reduce the gaps in attainment levels.
Furthermore, Davies,J (1980) illustrated that Social Class can create differences in attendance patterns of pupils. Looking at percentage of absence, he found a 7.1 percent difference between attendance of pupils with a non manual family background and pupils from social class 5. In addition to this, Davies discovered a range of 16.1 percent between non manual and unemployed backgrounds. Mortimore (1986) states that attendance rates have been considerably influenced by social class. ‘Whether that is a direct influence (working class parents being less motivated to insist that their children attend school) or an indirect one (pupils with working class backgrounds been less successful in academic life and, therefore, being less committed to the value of schooling) has not yet been resolved satisfactorily.’
(Mortimore, P and Mortimore, J …show more content…
American Anthropologist.
Coleman, J (1966) Equality of Educational Opportunity. Washington D.C. Cited in: Rogers, R(1986) Education and Social Class: Educational Inequalities pp. 117-125. East Sussex, The Falmer Press.
Department for Education (2010) Key Stage 2 Attainment by Pupil Characteristics, in England 2009/10. Department for Education.
Douglas, J. W. B(1964) The Home and the School, London, MacGibbon and Kee.
Little, A.N (1978) Educational Polices for Multi-Racial Areas. Cited in: Rogers, R (1986) Education and Social Class. East Sussex, The Falmer Press.
Mortimore, P, Mortimore, J (1986) Education and Social Class. Cited in: Rogers, R (1986) Education and Social Class. East Sussex, The Falmer Press.
Nutrition and school lunches [Internet], Available from: [Accessed on 13.12.2012].
Rogers, R (1986) Education and Social Class. East Sussex, The Falmer Press.
Willis, P (1977) How working class kids get working class jobs: Learning to Labour. Hampshire, SAXON HOUSE, Teakfield Limited. (17.09.10) Working Class Subculture and Educational Disadvantage [Internet], Available from: [Accessed on: