WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology Revision Guide

47 Material deprivation and material factors Support for the argument that material deprivation affects educational achievement is: A. Gibson and S. Asthana say there is a link between low household income and poor educational achievement. Children from less advantaged backgrounds cannot afford a private tutor or private schooling. Payne says that middle-class parents of A Level students can and do pay for private tuition for their children. Low-income families can’t afford to support their children through university. Halsey says that the main reason why working-class pupils do not stay on at school is lack of financial support. J. W. B. Douglas found that children who live in unsatisfactory conditions don’t do as well in school tests as those from wealthier backgrounds. Evidence against the argument that material deprivation affects educational achievement is: Many children from poor backgrounds do achieve highly in education. Educated parents, regardless of income, will encourage and motivate their children to do well. Compensatory education can help reduce the negative impact of material deprivation. It is too deterministic. It does not take into account other factors such as cultural deprivation. Pupil Premium has been introduced by the government to help children from families with a lower income. Further research – Alasdair Forsyth and Andy Furlong’s study about why poorer students are more likely to drop out of university. What other factors do they suggest contribute to this disadvantage? What are some of the criticisms of this study? Alasdair Forsyth and Andy Furlong of Glasgow University looked at what the barriers were for working-class pupils in education. They found that it is the fear of debt, constant money worries and the cost of education that prevents working-class pupils going on to higher education. They look at the ‘hidden costs’(uniforms, trips, books, equipment, etc.). Working-class students may need to juggle part-time work with studying and may worry about repaying this debt once they finish their course. This puts them at a disadvantage in their education. Knowledge check 1. Describe what is meant by ‘income’. (2 marks) 2. Describe what is meant by ‘material deprivation’. (2 marks) 3. Explain two reasons why children of middle-class parents are more likely to go on to higher education than children of working-class parents. (8 marks) 4. ‘Home and family have the greatest influence on a student’s educational achievement.’Do you agree? Why? (15 marks) Sesame Street was originally designed as a form of compensatory education. Why are the children of middle-class parents and higher social classes more likely to attend university?