What are the roles and functions of education? » Functionalist view - equal opportunities and standardised testing

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

The functionalist perspective on education
Key functions of education according to functionalists
How education promotes equal opportunities
The role of standardised testing in education
Key sociologists and their theories about education
Strengths and limitations of the functionalist view

Introduction to Functionalist View of Education

Functionalism is one of the main theoretical perspectives in sociology. Functionalists see society as a system of interconnected parts that work together to maintain stability and social order. When it comes to education, functionalists believe that schools serve several important functions that help society run smoothly.

Key Definitions:

Functionalism: A sociological theory that views society as a complex system of interdependent parts working together to maintain stability.
Social institution: An established structure in society that fulfils specific needs, like education, family, or religion.
Meritocracy: A system where people advance based on their abilities and effort rather than their social background.
Standardised testing: Exams that are consistent in content, administration and scoring across all test-takers.

📖 Key Functionalist Thinkers

Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) - One of the founders of functionalism who saw education as crucial for teaching shared values and creating social solidarity.

Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) - Viewed schools as a 'bridge' between family and wider society, helping children transition from particularistic to universalistic values.

Davis and Moore - Developed the idea that education helps sort people into appropriate jobs based on their abilities (role allocation).

💡 Core Functionalist Ideas

Functionalists believe education:

Maintains social order and stability
Prepares young people for their adult roles
Promotes shared values and social cohesion
Helps identify and develop talent
Creates a skilled workforce for the economy

The Functions of Education: A Functionalist Perspective

According to functionalists, education serves several vital purposes that benefit both individuals and society as a whole. Let's explore these key functions:

1. Socialisation and Value Consensus

Durkheim argued that education teaches children the shared norms and values of society, creating what he called 'social solidarity'. Schools help children learn:

The difference between right and wrong
How to cooperate with others
Respect for authority and rules
National identity and citizenship

For example, school assemblies, history lessons and celebrating national holidays all help to create a sense of shared identity and values.

2. Skills Provision

Education equips young people with the knowledge and skills needed for their future roles in society, particularly in the workplace. This includes:

Basic literacy and numeracy
Subject-specific knowledge
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Communication and teamwork

Functionalists argue that as society has become more complex and technological, education has become increasingly important for preparing a skilled workforce.

3. Role Allocation and Selection

Davis and Moore suggested that education helps to sort and allocate people to the most appropriate jobs based on their abilities. Through exams and qualifications, schools identify who is best suited for different roles in society.

This process is seen as beneficial because:

It ensures the most talented people get the most important jobs
It creates an efficient division of labour
It rewards hard work and ability (meritocracy)

Equal Opportunities in Education

Functionalists believe that modern education systems are designed to provide equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their background. This is a key aspect of creating a meritocratic society.

✅ Meritocracy

Education allows individuals to succeed based on their own abilities and efforts rather than their social class, gender, or ethnicity. Everyone has a fair chance to prove themselves.

🎓 Universal Education

Compulsory education for all children ensures everyone has access to the same basic opportunities. This helps to level the playing field.

📝 Objective Assessment

Schools use standardised tests and formal qualifications to judge everyone by the same criteria, making the system fair and transparent.

Talcott Parsons argued that schools operate on 'universalistic' values - treating all students according to the same standards rather than showing favouritism. This contrasts with the 'particularistic' values of the family, where children are treated as special. Schools prepare children for the wider world where they'll be judged on achievement rather than who they are.

Case Study Focus: The 1944 Education Act

The 1944 Education Act in Britain established free secondary education for all and created the tripartite system of grammar, technical and secondary modern schools. Students were allocated to these schools based on their performance in the 11+ exam.

Functionalists saw this as a positive development because:

It provided education for all children regardless of family income
It used a standardised test (the 11+) to identify ability
It aimed to match students with the type of education best suited to their abilities
It created opportunities for working-class children to access grammar schools and potentially move up the social ladder

However, critics noted that middle-class children were much more likely to pass the 11+ and attend grammar schools, suggesting the system wasn't as meritocratic as functionalists claimed.

Standardised Testing: The Functionalist Perspective

Standardised testing plays a crucial role in the functionalist view of education. These tests are designed to measure students' abilities and achievements in a consistent way.

The Purpose of Standardised Testing

According to functionalists, standardised tests serve several important functions:

📈 Benefits for Society

Identifies talent regardless of background
Ensures the most capable people get the most important jobs
Creates a fair system based on achievement
Provides objective data to improve educational standards
Prepares students for competitive assessment in the workplace

👥 Benefits for Individuals

Provides clear goals to work towards
Rewards effort and ability
Creates opportunities for social mobility
Develops resilience and work ethic
Gives everyone an equal chance to demonstrate their abilities

Functionalists argue that standardised testing is essential for creating a meritocratic education system. By judging everyone according to the same criteria, tests like GCSEs provide a level playing field where students from any background can succeed if they work hard and have the ability.

Criticisms of the Functionalist View

While the functionalist perspective offers valuable insights into education, it has been criticised by other sociological perspectives:

Marxists argue that education reproduces inequality rather than reducing it, serving the interests of the ruling class by preparing working-class children for working-class jobs.
Feminists point out that traditional education systems have often reinforced gender stereotypes and limited opportunities for girls.
Interactionists focus on how teacher expectations and labelling within schools can create self-fulfilling prophecies that undermine equal opportunities.
Critics of standardised testing argue that these exams often favour middle-class students who have more cultural capital and resources to prepare for them.

Real-World Evidence: Does Education Create Equal Opportunities?

Research shows mixed results about whether education truly creates equal opportunities:

Students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds consistently achieve better results in standardised tests across most countries.
The gap between the highest and lowest achieving students is smaller in countries with comprehensive education systems.
Access to university education has expanded dramatically, but students from privileged backgrounds are still overrepresented at elite universities.
Educational policies like free school meals, pupil premium funding and widening participation schemes aim to create more equal opportunities, with varying degrees of success.

Summary: The Functionalist View of Education

To sum up, functionalists see education as a positive force in society that:

Socialises young people into shared values and norms
Teaches essential skills for adult life and work
Allocates people to appropriate roles based on their abilities
Creates equal opportunities through meritocratic principles
Uses standardised testing to ensure fair and objective assessment

While this perspective has been challenged by other sociological theories, it remains an important framework for understanding the role of education in society. The functionalist emphasis on education as a means of creating opportunities and identifying talent continues to influence educational policy and practice today.

🧠 Test Your Knowledge!