A Level Sociology Education AQA Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes the criticism of comprehensive schools in light of private education?

1. They offer too many resources for all students

2. They struggle to provide for every background due to class divisions

3. They eliminate class boundaries completely

4. They prepare students solely for higher education

The correct answer is: They struggle to provide for every background due to class divisions

The criticism of comprehensive schools in the context of private education centers on their struggle to cater adequately to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, primarily due to the persistent class divisions that exist within society. While comprehensive schools aim to provide an inclusive education for all students, they can be challenged in meeting the varied needs of students from different social classes. This gap can persist because of factors like varying levels of parental support, access to resources, and outside educational opportunities that are often more prevalent in private education settings. This criticism highlights the argument that while comprehensive schools intend to level the playing field, they may inadvertently reflect and reproduce existing inequalities in society, leading to an uneven educational experience. Therefore, the focus is on the inability to fully address and provide equitable education across class divides, rather than implying that they are overly resourced, eliminate class boundaries, or exclusively prepare students for higher education.