What did Douglas claim about working-class parents' ambition and attendance at parents' evenings?

What did Douglas claim about working-class parents' ambition and attendance at parents' evenings?

• A. They are less ambitious and less likely to attend parents' evenings
• B. They are more ambitious and attend more events
• C. They do not care about education
• D. They are equally engaged

Answer: (A)

Douglas’ claim focuses on parental attitudes and school involvement, showing that working-class parents tend to place less emphasis on education and participate less in school events. He argued that these parents are less ambitious for their children’s schooling and are less likely to attend parents’ evenings, a pattern that can influence how schools support and monitor student progress. This combination helps explain part of why some working-class students accumulate fewer educational advantages, as parental support and visible interest in schooling often reinforce children’s motivation and achievement. In contrast, saying they are more ambitious or attend more events would contradict his point, and suggesting they do not care or are equally engaged misses the specific link he identified between lower ambition and lower attendance.

Douglas’ claim focuses on parental attitudes and school involvement, showing that working-class parents tend to place less emphasis on education and participate less in school events. He argued that these parents are less ambitious for their children’s schooling and are less likely to attend parents’ evenings, a pattern that can influence how schools support and monitor student progress. This combination helps explain part of why some working-class students accumulate fewer educational advantages, as parental support and visible interest in schooling often reinforce children’s motivation and achievement.

In contrast, saying they are more ambitious or attend more events would contradict his point, and suggesting they do not care or are equally engaged misses the specific link he identified between lower ambition and lower attendance.