Individuals in a society need to feel a part of a community

The education system helps create solidarity as it transmits societies culture (beliefs and values)

School acts as 'society in miniature' - preparing children for life in wider society

Durkheim argues that education teaches individuals the specialist knowledge and skills for their part in the social division of labour

this bridge is needed because families and societies work on different principles

This preparation is needed because schools and the wider world operate on meritocratic principles whereas the family doesn't

In a meritocracy everyone is given equal opportunity and individuals achieve rewards through their own effort and ability

They see education as a device for role allocation. Education acts as a proving ground for ability.

They argue that inequality is necessary to ensure that the most important roles are filled by the most talented people

They argue that a meritocratic education system does this best as it allows each person to be allocated the job best suited to them and this makes the most effective use of their talent.

equal opportunity does not exist in education- achievement is influenced greatly by class

The Wolf view of vocational education (2011) claims that hi8gh quality apprenticeships are rare and a third of 16-19 year old's are on courses that do not lead to good jobs

Tumin (1953) - criticse Davis and Moore for their circular argument ' hoe do we know a job is important? because it is highly rewarded. why are some jobs highly rewarded? because they are important

Marxists criticse that education does not instill shared values of society, but instead it transmits the idea of a minority- the working class

Wrong (1961) - argues that functionalists have an 'over socialized' view and imply that all students passively accept what they are taught