The major theories explored are those concerned with social mobility and those which derive from a relativist position in Sociology, both of which see education as a selection mechanism for a stratified society. Social class, family, sociolinguistics and schools are among the topics discussed. In this analysis the author:

• defines key areas in the sociology of education
• gives access to important concepts of Marx and Engels
• strengthens sociological starting points by adding a Marxist element
• discriminates between radically different directions in education
• maps the main features of long-term working class goals

This thoroughgoing Marxist critique of widely prevalent notions in the sociology of education provides a compass by which place and direction in this area of education may be found by students, teachers and parents.