Grammar schools 'distorted in favour of middle-classes'

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JSN

Grammar schools 'distorted in favour of middle-classes'

Post by JSN »

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/ed ... asses.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
hermanmunster
Posts: 12817
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 am
Location: The Seaside

Re: Grammar schools 'distorted in favour of middle-classes'

Post by hermanmunster »

I wonder if the intake would actually be much different if there was no coaching at all?
JSN

Re: Grammar schools 'distorted in favour of middle-classes'

Post by JSN »

hermanmunster wrote:I wonder if the intake would actually be much different if there was no coaching at all?
The implication being that middle class children are inherently more intelligent than low income children?
the evidence being?
Even Dominic Cummings report does not claims this
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 76170.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
but it would be interesting to know if generations of poor families are indead poor because they are less intelligent and more feckless than middle class families-I am not aware of any such research.
this nature/nurture debate could be quite contentious IMO but interesting!
maybe Amber our resident educationalist has come across any research/articles to help us?
Yamin151
Posts: 2405
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:30 am

Re: Grammar schools 'distorted in favour of middle-classes'

Post by Yamin151 »

Surely, although no evidence to prove, the assumption would be fairly made that in a cohort of 10,000 poorer, vs 10,000 "middle class" then more of the middle class group would be academically more highly qualified than in the poorer cohort. This is absolutely exception that proves the rule of course. We are highly qualified but relatively poor compared with those that are in the sort of higher paid occupations that the middle classes tend to end up in. (I gave up highly paid job, husband is nhs). But nevertheless, this tends to be the case. And of course the more highly paid jobs are going to be more highly occupied by those with a middle class upbringing than not. Or at least but those who were academically driven by parents with high aspirations. Of those from households with parents with low qualifications who are not bothered about their children aspiring to higher, it must be quite a low proportion that beak the mould (again, plenty notable exceptions, I am talking large statistics here, there will always be individual exceptions, just like the grandad that lived to 110 despite smoking 100 fags a day doesn't disprove that smoking is dangerous!).
So 'no shi*t Sherlock', of course the grammar schools will be emigre slewed towards the middle classes!
JSN

Re: Grammar schools 'distorted in favour of middle-classes'

Post by JSN »

yes but thats not quite what I am getting at.

Lets agree that children from high aspirational families/university educated , backgrounds would be expected to

1) belong to the middle-classes

2)have more childfren going to Grammar/Selective schools

seems self evident? this is the nurture part

But my point is

1) did they get to be middle class because they are genetically more intelligent and have passed on these genes generation after generation? in a Darwinian sense( the nature part that I am interested in)

or have the intractable issues of poverty itself prevented the poor from socially moving up?

I think this my help
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23881780" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
sbarnes
Posts: 583
Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 7:30 pm

Re: Grammar schools 'distorted in favour of middle-classes'

Post by sbarnes »

On a personal level I don't believe in anything to do with Darwin theory

If parents are in mentally challenging vocations then kids will tend to be bright as well. It is a freak of nature where this is not the case or child has deliberately set out to be rebellious.
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: Grammar schools 'distorted in favour of middle-classes'

Post by Guest55 »

We have had a number of threads like this in the past and they get nowhere.

Let's debate the following instead:

Private schools 'distorted in favour of Upper classes'
JSN

Re: Grammar schools 'distorted in favour of middle-classes'

Post by JSN »

Guest55 wrote:
Private schools 'distorted in favour of Upper classes'
O.k first you need to define what you mean by "Upper classes" then define/explain what is being "distorted"
Last edited by JSN on Sat Nov 30, 2013 9:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Amber
Posts: 8058
Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:59 am

Re: Grammar schools 'distorted in favour of middle-classes'

Post by Amber »

Are grammar schools distorted in favour of the middle classes?
Or: 'is the Pope Catholic?'
Or: 'Do bears s**t in the woods?'
Or: 'Does JSN mistrust 'educationalists'?
JSN

Re: Grammar schools 'distorted in favour of middle-classes'

Post by JSN »

Amber wrote: 'Does JSN mistrust 'educationalists'?
no not always :wink: , I have learnt a very good lesson from you , that formal education before 7 in not necessary nor advisable ,I did do my own basic research prompted by your views , and I could not agree more now ,a complete 360 degree turn on what I thought before , so thank you , but I still reserve the right to disagree and be thoroughly disagreeable :lol: but hopefuly not obnoxious
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