Which ideology advocates market-style reforms and emphasizes parental choice in education?

• A. New Right
• B. Marxism
• C. Functionalism
• D. Symbolic Interactionism

Answer: (A)

Market-style reforms and parental choice in education come from a New Right perspective. This view treats schooling like a market: schools compete for pupils, funding follows students, and success is judged by standardized outcomes. Proponents argue that competition drives efficiency and improves standards, while the state should play a smaller role and be more accountable through measures like league tables and testing. This contrasts with Marxism, which emphasizes how education reinforces inequality under capitalism; functionalism, while seeing education as serving society, does not center market competition; and symbolic interactionism focuses on day-to-day interactions rather than broad policy directions.