...materials from Item A and elsewhere, assess sociological explanations for ethnic differences in educational achievement. Statistics show that in Britain, young people of African-Caribbean, Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Somalian heritage are significantly underachieving in education. Children from Gypsy, Roma and traveller backgrounds are the lowest achieving of all. Processes inside school can be a key factor as to why there are ethnic differences in education achievement. The labelling theory says that teachers have different expectations of different ethnic minority groups. Gilbert (1990) found that teachers sometimes negatively label black students. Afro-Caribbean students were seen as a challenge to school authority and were therefore more likely to be excluded from school. Item A also reinforces this as it states that one possible reason for ethnic differences in educational achievement lies in the school system and that Black Caribbean boys are excluded more than any group. Gillborn calls this the ‘myth of the black challenge’. Teachers had high expectations of Asian students, which could lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy of success. In contrast, the negative labelling could result in a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure. This can lead to ethnic differences in education achievement. Outside school factors can also provide sociological explanations for ethnic differences in educational achievement. Language difference can affect achievement as language was a barrier for...
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...Education and differences in educational achievement- past questions and mark schemes (CLASS, GENDER and ETHNICITY) January 2006 (a) Explain what is meant by cultural capital. (Item 1A, line 8). (2 marks) Two marks for an appropriate explanation or definition, such as the values, knowledge, attitudes, skills, tastes etc. possessed by the upper/middle class, or the values, knowledge etc. that give one class an educational advantage. (c) Identify three features of the restricted speech code (Item 1A, lines 10-11). (6 marks) Two marks for each of three appropriate features identified, such as: • used by the working class; • short/incomplete sentences; • often reduced to gestures; • context-bound/particularistic meanings/speaker assumes audience shares same frame of reference; • not used in education; • a product of repetitive, unskilled work; • a product of positional/rigid family structures. (e) Examine the reasons why females now tend to achieve more than males in the education system. (20 marks) Candidates will consider a range of reasons, such as the impact of feminism, equal opportunities policies, role models, changes in the family and work, changes in the curriculum and assessment, changes in girls aspirations, teacher attention and classroom interaction, selection, league tables etc. Concepts and issues such as meritocracy, patriarchy, pupil subcultures, labelling, de-industrialisation, marketisation, the hidden curriculum...
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...Asses the strengths and limitations of unstructured interviews for the study of boys underachievement at school Unstructured interviews have advantages and disadvantages and as a qualitative method they are expressed through words and relay people’s thoughts, feelings and motivations. Unstructured interviews are interviews that don’t have certain questions meaning it’s more free and relaxed. They give us a deep understanding of the interviewee’s world because we can use the answers they give to shape our questions so that they are appropriate and relevant. However, using unstructured interviews can also cause problems, for example they take a long time to conduct. When looking at the advantages and disadvantages we need to look at how this effects what we are trying to research boys underachievement at school as this will affect whether the advantages and limitations are relevant to the study. A few advantages of using unstructured interviews when studying the underachievement of boys are that the informality of the interview allows the interviewer to gain the trust of the interviewee which is important in this example. Boys at school will not feel comfortable explaining their time at school and why they do/don’t enjoy school if the interviewer is very formal and makes them feel intimidated whereas by using an unstructured interview it allows the boys being interviewed and the interviewee feel more comfortable around each other meaning the boys will be more open and truthful...
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...use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. G/T80704/Jun12/SCLY2 6/6/6/ SCLY2 2 Choose either Section A or Section B and answer all the questions in that section. Section A: Education with Research Methods You are advised to spend approximately 50 minutes on questions 0 You are advised to spend approximately 30 minutes on question You are advised to spend approximately 40 minutes on questions 0 to 1 0 6 0 4 . 5 . to 0 9 . Total for this section: 90 marks Education Read Item A below and answer questions 0 1 to 0 4 that follow. Item A There are important differences in the educational achievement of pupils from different ethnic groups. For example, at GCSE, on average, Chinese and Indian pupils perform better than White, Bangladeshi, Pakistani or Black pupils. Within all ethnic groups, girls out-perform boys –...
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...English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. A G/K92851/Jun13/SCLY2 6/6 SCLY2 2 Choose either Section A or Section B and answer all the questions in that section. Section A: Education with Research Methods You are advised to spend approximately 50 minutes on questions 0 1 0 6 to 0 4 . 9 . You are advised to spend approximately 30 minutes on question You are advised to spend approximately 40 minutes on questions 0 5 . to 0 Total for this section: 90 marks Education Read Item A below and answer questions 0 1 to 0 4 that follow. Item A The educational achievements of both boys and girls have improved since the 1980s, but girls’ results have improved more rapidly. They have overtaken boys in Key Stage tests, at GCSE and at A level. Girls are also more likely than boys to go to university. However, gender differences in subject choice remain relatively unchanged in both academic and...
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...General Certificate of Education Advanced Subsidiary Examination January 2011 Sociology Unit 2 Tuesday 18 January 2011 For this paper you must have: an AQA 12-page answer book. SCLY2 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm Time allowed 2 hours Instructions Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Examining Body for this paper is AQA. The Paper Reference is SCLY2. This paper is divided into two sections. Choose one section and answer all questions from that section. Do not answer questions from more than one section. Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked. Information The marks for questions are shown in brackets. The maximum mark for this paper is 90. Questions carrying 12 marks or more should be answered in continuous prose. In these questions you will be marked on your ability to: – use good English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. G/T61607/Jan11/SCLY2 6/6/ SCLY2 2 Choose either Section A or Section B and answer all the questions from that section. Section A: Education with Research Methods You are advised to spend approximately 50 minutes on Questions You are advised to spend approximately 40 minutes on Questions 0 0 1 0 6 to to 0 0 4 . 9 . You are advised to spend approximately 30 minutes on Question 5 . Total for this section: 90 marks Education Read Item A below and answer...
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...use good English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. GJ74914/Jan12/SCLY2 6/6/6 SCLY2 2 Choose either Section A or Section B and answer all the questions in that section. Section A: Education with Research Methods You are advised to spend approximately 50 minutes on questions 0 1 0 6 to 0 4 . 9 . You are advised to spend approximately 30 minutes on question You are advised to spend approximately 40 minutes on questions 0 5 . to 0 Total for this section: 90 marks Education Read Item A below and answer questions 0 1 to 0 4 that follow. Item A According to some sociologists, cultural factors are the most important cause of social class differences in educational achievement. In their view, there are deep-rooted differences between working-class and middle-class subcultures. For example, they argue that working-class subculture encourages fatalism and collectivism, whereas middle-class...
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...discussions about these mark schemes. Cambridge is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2014 series for most IGCSE, GCE Advanced Level and Advanced Subsidiary Level components and some Ordinary Level components. Page 2 1 Mark Scheme GCE A LEVEL – May/June 2014 Syllabus 9699 Paper 33 (a) Explain how the achievement of pupils may be influenced by pupil sub-cultures. [9] 0–4 A few general observations about pupils’ educational achievement, with no direct links to the question, would be worth 1 or 2 marks. A basic account of what is meant by pupil sub-culture, with no further development in relation to the question, would be placed in the higher part of the band. 5–9 Lower in the band, answers are likely to provide a basic account of how achievement at school may be influenced by pupil sub-cultures. An account of this kind might focus on explaining just one link between pupil sub-culture and educational achievement, or several relevant links may be noted, but in a list-like way. Higher in the band, answers will be more detailed, and different links between pupil sub-cultures and educational achievement...
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...use good English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. GJ74914/Jan12/SCLY2 6/6/6 SCLY2 2 Choose either Section A or Section B and answer all the questions in that section. Section A: Education with Research Methods You are advised to spend approximately 50 minutes on questions 0 1 0 6 to 0 4 . 9 . You are advised to spend approximately 30 minutes on question You are advised to spend approximately 40 minutes on questions 0 5 . to 0 Total for this section: 90 marks Education Read Item A below and answer questions 0 1 to 0 4 that follow. Item A According to some sociologists, cultural factors are the most important cause of social class differences in educational achievement. In their view, there are deep-rooted differences between working-class and middle-class subcultures. For example, they argue that working-class subculture encourages fatalism and collectivism, whereas middle-class...
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...e of the reasons for ethnic differences in educational achievement. [12 marks] • Using material from Item A, and elsewhere, assess the contribution of functionalist sociologists to our understanding of the role of the education system in society. [20 marks] Research Methods The research methods section of this paper is one of the more straightforward sections that you will have. It consists of four questions that with the following values: 2 marks 4 marks 4 marks 20 marks Question 6 (2 marks) will be a basic identify and explain question, usually a methodological concept, e.g. describe and explain what is meant by validity. Question 7 and 8 will be identify and explain two aspects of something, for example: Suggest two advantages of using official statistics in sociological research. The best examples of which can be seen in the January, 2011, exam paper where the candidate has, very briefly, stated the advantages and offered a brief explanation and moved on. Question 9 is the essay question within research methods and is worth 20 marks. It is typically an examine question which will require you to look closely at the strengths and limitations of using that method. For example, what type of data will that specific method produce? Why is that type of data preferable? Why is it not preferable? Who would use that type of data? Who would not want that type of data? This is also the point where using the P E R V E R T anagram becomes useful: P –...
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...Version 3.0 General Certificate of Education January 2013 Sociology 1191 SCLY2 Education with Research Methods; Health with Research Methods Unit 2 Final Mark Scheme Mark schemes are prepared by the Principal Examiner and considered, together with the relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the standardisation meeting attended by all examiners and is the scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation meeting ensures that the mark scheme covers the students‟ responses to questions and that every examiner understands and applies it in the same correct way. As preparation for the standardisation meeting each examiner analyses a number of students‟ scripts: alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed at the meeting and legislated for. If, after this meeting, examiners encounter unusual answers which have not been discussed at the meeting they are required to refer these to the Principal Examiner. It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and expanded on the basis of students‟ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year‟s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination paper. Further copies of this Mark Scheme are available to download...
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...Version 1.0 General Certificate of Education June 2011 Sociology 1191 SCLY2 Education with Research Methods; Health with Research Methods Unit 2 Mark Scheme Mark schemes are prepared by the Principal Examiner and considered, together with the relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the standardisation meeting attended by all examiners and is the scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation meeting ensures that the mark scheme covers the candidates’ responses to questions and that every examiner understands and applies it in the same correct way. As preparation for the standardisation meeting each examiner analyses a number of candidates’ scripts: alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed at the meeting and legislated for. If, after this meeting, examiners encounter unusual answers which have not been discussed at the meeting they are required to refer these to the Principal Examiner. It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and expanded on the basis of candidates’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination paper. Further copies of this Mark Scheme are available...
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...Analyse the importance of poverty as an explanation of social class differences in educational achievement Introduction Sociologists have argued that social class differences in educational achievement can be explained in terms of 4 not necessarily mutually exclusive kinds of theory: IQ theory; theories emphasising social class differences in material circumstances; theories emphasising social class differences in subcultural attitudes and values; and theories emphasising the importance of within school labelling processes. Sociologists tend to be critical of IQ theory for several reasons and point out that there is good evidence to show that social class is a major determinant of educational success even independently of measured differences in IQ. I shall therefore concentrate upon the three more sociological approaches and in each case it may be argued that the factors which may disadvantage working class students in general are especially likely to disadvantage those working class students who experience poverty. However before analysing the possible effects of poverty on educational achievement some preliminary investigation of the nature and extent of poverty in the UK is first necessary and for these purposes we must first distinguish between absolute and relative poverty. Absolute poverty is said to occur when individuals lack the money necessary to ensure their basis physical survival whereas relative poverty exists where individuals have insufficient money to...
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...intelligence. This paper gives an historical and ideological insight behind the development and application of intelligence tests by citing examples of their impact on legislation, social policy and intervention programmes in relation to Blacks. More importantly, a discussion of cultural bias in test design focuses on the response of Black psychologists who developed Black intelligence tests that portray whites as intellectually inferior in the same manner that Blacks are portrayed as intellectually inferior on tests devised by white psychologist. Furthermore, The hereditary perspective of intelligence is challenged by empirical evidence that centres on children with white ancestry to assess whether white genes influence intelligence while citing several sources that support the environmental explanation of the race gap in test scores. Consequently, this discussion questions the reliability and validity of intelligence tests that are used to reinforce the Black intellectual inferiority myth. The conclusive argument suggests in no uncertain terms that the Bell Curve is nothing more than the repackaging of racist pseudo-scientific conclusions by right wing academics, intent on rekindling a political debate premised on a racist manifesto to justify the withdrawal of intervention programmes that challenge existing social and racial hierarchies, that are perceived to transfer white power and privileges to undeserving Blacks. Special Thanks to: Dr. Madge Willis Morehouse College...
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...Career Guidance Theories Career guidance theories provide insight into how individuals make career decisions and what influences impact on those decisions throughout the course of a person’s life. Most have derived from the different branches of psychology; personality, developmental, cognitive and social. More contemporary theories however consider the sociological influences on career journeys too. Most acknowledge the role of career guidance, although differ on opinion as to when, how often and the resulting impact of guidance. Career guidance practice is informed by theory. Theories are used to devise policies over careers education and guidance and to provide tools for evaluation and amendment of practices. In 1908 Parsons developed what is considered the first theory of vocational guidance. The ‘talent matching’ approach. Parsons based this theory on three ideas; (a) people are different, (b) jobs are different and (c) by studying both individual and jobs, it should be possible to match them up. This theory implies it is possible to measure individual talents and the skills required for particular jobs, assumes people perform best when matched to a job suited to their abilities and therefore assumes that career decision making is of a rational nature. Others have developed this theory, sometimes referred to as ‘person-environment fit’ or trait/factor further. Rodger (1952) developed a ‘seven point plan’ with matching at the centre of the process. He...
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