Parental Choice
Sociology: AQA GCSE, topic 3.3.6
Parental Choice and Competition Between Schools
Ball's study ‘Market forces and parental choice’ (1994).
Sample
- Ball's study consisted of 15 schools in neighbouring LEAs.
- The schools' population was different in terms of class and ethnicity.
Aim
- The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of parental choice and the publication of league tables.
- Ball focused on the pressure that might exist to use streaming and setting and the fact that some schools tend to focus on the more academically able pupils.
Findings
- Ball found that middle-class parents were at an advantage in comparison to working-class parents when deciding which school their child would attend.
Test yourself on Parental Choice
Ball's study consisted of 15 schools in neighbouring LEAs. The schools' population was different in terms of class and which other factor?