Broken Promises-school reform in retrospect (4)

What is modern liberal educational theory?

What exactly is the theory underlying the notion of education as panacea?

Two strands of thought:

Democratic vs Technocratic-Meritocratic school

>democratic approach concerns the compatibility of the functions a school is expected to perform

>techno-merit approach concerns the capacity of schools to perform their expected functions

Educational systems must fulfill at least 3 functions:

1. Schools must help integrate youth into the various occupational, political, familial and other adult roles required by an expanding economy and a stable polity

2. Giving each individual a chance to compete openly for privileges is both efficient and desirable

3. Education is a major component of promoting the psychic and emotional growth of the individual

*the developmental function of education

The integrative (1), egalitarian (2) and developmental (3) functions are all compatible and mutually supportive

The occupational roles in capitalist society are best filled by individuals who have achieved the highest possible levels of personal development

Personal development is economically productive

A free and universal school system can render the opportunities for self-development, independent of race, ethnic origins, class background and sex

Rather than being necessary, the integrative, egalitarian and developmental functions are simply compatible

According to this view, the economy is a technical system requiring levels of technical competence that are inherent to a person or population and cannot be developed through education

Contrasting Horace’s Mann’s views(p55)

Social control ideology