A Level Sociology Education AQA Practice Exam

Which group tends to see private schools as beneficial for fostering educational excellence?

1. Marxists

2. Feminists

3. New Right advocates

4. Socialist activists

The correct answer is: New Right advocates

The viewpoint associated with New Right advocates emphasizes the importance of free-market principles and individual choice in education. They argue that private schools create a competitive environment that fosters educational excellence. This perspective suggests that when schools operate like businesses, they must meet the demands of parents and students, leading to improvements in quality and standards. New Right supporters contend that this system not only benefits students attending private schools but also raises overall educational standards by putting pressure on state schools to improve. Other groups, such as Marxists, view private schools as perpetuating social inequality and benefiting the wealthy at the expense of the wider society. Feminists may focus more on issues of gender equity and how educational institutions can perpetuate gender biases and inequalities rather than concentrating solely on the benefits of private schooling. Socialist activists typically advocate for more equitable distribution of resources in education, opposing the notion that private institutions can enhance education for the broader population. Thus, New Right advocates are the ones who primarily see private schools as beneficial for fostering educational excellence due to their belief in competition and market-driven solutions.