Marketisation and Parentocracy in Education

This page delves into the concepts of marketisation of education and parentocracy, exploring their definitions, implementation, and societal impacts.

Marketisation refers to the process of introducing market forces, such as consumer choice and competition, into state-run sectors like education. This approach aims to create an education 'market' and is favored by neo-liberals and the new right.

Definition: Marketisation of education is the process of applying market principles to the education system, emphasizing competition between schools and increased parental choice.

The 1988 Education Reform Act (ERA) under the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher marked a significant shift towards marketisation in UK education. Subsequent governments, including New Labour and the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition, continued this trend with policies emphasizing standards, diversity, and choice.

Example: The creation of academies and free schools is an example of marketisation policies in education.

Parentocracy, or the "rule of parents," is a concept closely linked to marketisation. Supporters argue that in an education market, power shifts from producers (teachers and schools) to consumers (parents), encouraging diversity, increasing choice, and raising standards.

Vocabulary: Parentocracy refers to a system where parents have increased power and influence in educational decisions.

Several policies promote marketisation in education:

1. Publication of league tables and OFSTED reports
2. Business sponsorship of schools
3. Open enrolment
4. Specialist schools
5. Formula funding
6. Academies
7. Introduction of tuition fees for higher education

Highlight: These marketisation of education examples demonstrate how market principles are applied to various aspects of the education system.

Critics argue that marketisation policies in sociology education reproduce and exacerbate class inequalities. Ball & Whitty suggest that these policies create inequalities between schools, leading to a cycle where successful schools become more popular and can be more selective, while struggling schools face declining enrollment and reduced funding.

Quote: "Marketisation policies reproduce class inequalities by creating inequalities between schools." - Ball & Whitty

The document also discusses the concept of "cream-skimming" and "silt-shifting," where popular schools can select high-achieving students, while less popular schools are left with less able pupils, further perpetuating the cycle of inequality.

A study by Gerwitz on parental choice in 14 London secondary schools identified three types of parents based on their ability to exercise school choice:

1. Privileged-skilled choosers (professional middle-class parents)
2. Semi-skilled choosers
3. Disconnected-local choosers (working-class parents)

Highlight: This classification highlights how marketisation of education can disadvantage working-class families due to their limited economic and cultural capital.

In conclusion, while marketisation policies aim to improve education through competition and choice, critics argue that they may inadvertently reinforce existing social inequalities in education.