Social class differences in achievement are found at all stages of the education system and sociologists have put forward several explanations for these differences. Some sociologists focus on factors outside school, such as the material circumstances of pupils’ families or the ways in which parents socialise their children. Other sociologists see factors internal to the education system itself as responsible. However, it can be argued that it is the interaction between these external and internal factors that produces class differences in educational achievement.
Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations of social class differences in educational achievement
