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Read Item A below and answer the question that follows - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 3
Read Item A below and answer the question that follows. Item A Businesses compete with each other to attract customers. Another route to success for businesses is ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Read Item A below and answer the question that follows - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Analyse how school competition affects education quality
Answer
Marketisation policies have introduced an environment where schools compete for students. This competition is similar to businesses competing for customers, as schools aim to attract more pupils by enhancing their educational offerings. This could lead schools to prioritize metrics like examination results, which they use as a marketing tool to showcase their effectiveness to prospective students and parents. As a result, schools might invest heavily in resources and marketing strategies to present themselves as superior options, thus running like businesses.
Step 2
Analyse the impact of parental choice on schools
Answer
Another significant way marketisation policies have influenced education is through the introduction of parental choice. Parents are now able to choose schools based on their preferences, which drives schools to position themselves competitively in the market. For instance, schools may develop unique curricula or extracurricular activities to attract specific demographics, mirroring businesses that customize their products to meet consumer demands. This shift empowers parents, making schools accountable to them as 'customers', further reinforcing the business-like operation of educational institutions.