The Subject is Inclusion,
Education and Equalities
Essay question: How does
neoliberalism influence education policies, and what does this means for
academic achievement and equity in schools?
£3000 words
Explanation of the Question:
This critical question asks you to explore the
relationship between neoliberalism, education policies, and their effects on academic
achievement and equity in schools.
- Neoliberalism
and Education Policies
o Define
neoliberalism: a political and economic ideology emphasizing market-driven
approaches, competition, accountability, and individual responsibility.
o Discuss
its influence on education policies, such as school performance metrics,
standardised testing, academisation, privatisation, and funding allocation.
- Impact
on Academic Achievement
o Investigate
how these policies affect academic outcomes, positively or negatively.
o
Consider:
§ Whether
competition between schools improves standards.
§ The
role of performance pressure on teachers and students.
§ How
these policies shape curriculum design and assessment.
- Impact
on Equity in Education
o Explore
whether these policies create disparities in access and outcomes for different
groups, including socioeconomically disadvantaged students, SEND students, and
ethnic minorities.
o Examine
structural inequalities exacerbated by neoliberal reforms, such as resource
disparities or selective admissions practices.
- Critical
Perspective
o Weigh
the benefits (e.g., innovation, efficiency) against the drawbacks (e.g.,
exclusion, inequality).
o Highlight
theories or data that explain the connection between neoliberalism, policy, and
outcomes.
- The
Bigger Picture
o Reflect
on what these trends mean for the purpose of education: is it about achieving
equity or merely boosting measurable outcomes?
Mind Map:
Central Topic:
How Neoliberalism Influences Education Policies and Academic Achievement
1. Neoliberalism
- Definition
and principles (marketisation, competition, accountability). - Role
in shaping education systems.
2. Education Policies under Neoliberalism
- Standardised
testing. - Performance
metrics (e.g., league tables). - School
funding and academisation. - Privatisation
and private-sector involvement.
3. Impact on Academic Achievement
- Improvements:
competition as a driver for better results. - Challenges:
focus on measurable outcomes over holistic learning. - Stress
and burnout from high-stakes testing.
4. Impact on Equity
- Resource
allocation disparities. - Marginalisation
of vulnerable groups (e.g., SEND, low-income). - Curriculum
and cultural capital biases.
5. Critical Analysis
- Positive
outcomes: innovation, efficiency. - Negative
outcomes: exclusion, inequality. - Key
theories (e.g., Bourdieu, Fraser).
6. Conclusion
- Reflection
on the purpose of education. - Possible
solutions to mitigate negative effects.
Expectations:
Learning outcome –
At the end of the module, students will be able to:
• 1. Define and historicise the notions of social justice,
inclusion, different equalities in the world of education and schooling;
• 2. Interpret current and past debates around inclusion as
a notion and inclusive practices in education;
• 3. Analyse and articulate the links between social and
educational policy, social problems, and how education can be used as a vehicle
for inclusion
• 4. Explain and critique evidence from research data,
theoretical approaches to inclusion and inequalities and the role they play in
education.