Assess The Importance Of Equal Opportunities In Schools

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Equal opportunities policies In recent years there has been an emphasis on equal opportunities in schools. Policies like GIST (girls in science and technology) and WISE (women into science and engineering), aimed to encourage girls into areas that were traditionally seen as ‘male areas’. The introduction of the national curriculum in the 1988 Education Reform Act, also made it possible for everyone to study the same compulsory subjects. Positive role models in schools In recent years there has been an increase in the proportion of women occupying the role of Head teacher. These can act as positive role models for girls and something to strive for and to see other roles for them that are different from the housewife role. Primary schools in particular have become ‘feminised’ with mostly female staff.…show more content…
Behavioural problems –
Boys tend to have more behavioural issues, and are more likely to be disruptive in class and excluded. This could lead to teacher labeling and possibly the self-fulfilling prophecy. However, students can and do reject their labels. This also applies to a reasonably small percentage of boys. Boy’s over confidence –
There is an argument that boys are over-confident in their abilities, which may mean they prepare less for exams. Feminist may argue that this comes from the wider attitude of a patriarchal society (male dominated). So boys don’t put in the effort because there is an assume that as males they will be successful anyway. However, there is an argument that some boys have low self-esteem and do not believe that they will automatically do well just because their boys. Decline of traditional male jobs –
The decline of traditional ‘men’s’ jobs (manual work), has lead some boys to think that they don’t have any prospects once they leave school, so give up trying to get any
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