Social Class and Australian Schooling

Title
Social Class and Australian Schooling
Publication Date
2013
Author(s)
McQueen, Kelvin
Editor
Editor(s): Izabel Soliman
Type of document
Book Chapter
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Pearson Australia
Place of publication
Frenchs Forest, Australia
Edition
2
UNE publication id
une:18034
Abstract
This chapter begins by first exploring the difference between understanding social class as stratification and understanding social class as a power relation between particular groups. Secondly, since teachers are often said to be 'middle class' and schools to promote 'middle class culture', then the exploration moves to examine the 'problem' of the middle class: does it exist and, if so, what is a useful way for thinking about this 'class' and its culture? This exploration of the notion of a middle class raises the issue of divisions within the working class and maintains that these divisions are in part the result of competition in the labour market, but ultimately are caused by the ruling class. Thirdly, the chapter returns to the question of stratification and reveals that schools, as part of the state, deliberately stratify students using a competitive academic meritocracy. This acts to 'divide-and-rule' the working class. Finally, an assessment is made of the ambivalent opportunities in schools for fostering social justice.
Link
Citation
Interrogating Common Sense: Teaching for Social Justice, p. 47-74
ISBN
9781486020683
Start page
47
End page
74

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