Schooling

Schooling as the dominant ideology in relation to 'suitable education'

In terms of compulsory education it is assumed by many parents that schooling is the only available option and this can take two main forms, either publicly funded state school provision or privately funded school provision.  The vast majority of parents in the UK choose the former (although the extent to which this is a real choice is debatable given the costs involved in privately funded provision and its relationship to the average household income).  Thus one can argue, based purely on available provision, that state schooling is the dominant ideology in respect of ‘suitable education’ and tends to be the benchmark by which other provision is measured and evaluated.  For example, for some choosing an alternative to state schooling there appears to be a duty to demonstrate that their children are receiving a suitable and effective education and to justify why this constitutes a suitable and effective education.  It is assumed that school – whether private or public is the ideal and undisputed champion of ‘suitable education’ for all children. 

My question is this:  to what extent is mainstream school education suitable and efficient for all children?  And, more importantly, what are the tools used by the dominant ideology for measuring and evaluating it and how is it defining suitable and efficient at the outset? 

This page is still in development.  Constructive feedback and comments always welcome...