Marxists have a structural approach to the role of education they explore the way education fits into the social structure. They see society as based on conflict, in capitalist societies this is between the capitalist ruling class and the proletariat. They think that the capitalists exploit the proletariat. This economic conflict shapes the development of an ideological superstructure which persuades the working class that their exploitation is justified and acceptable.
Marxists see three main roles that education performs in capitalist society firstly promoting false consciousness, transmitting attitudes and values, which benefit the ruling class. Secondly transmitting attitudes and teaching skills which are required by the economic system and thirdly reproducing the class system and legitimising inequality, making it seem fair.
A French Marxist, Althusser saw education as the main ideological state apparatus or ISA. The main role of which is to reproduce an efficient and obedient workforce. Two other Marxists Bowles and Gintis carried out large scale survey in US, their results led them to the Correspondence Theory. Bowles and Gintis are particularly concerned with the role of the hidden curriculum, and how it legitimates the inequalities and exploitation of wider capitalist society, making them seem justified and fair. It does this because it helps to produce a submissive and obedient workforce, it encourages appetence of authority, it motivates pupils with extrinsic rewards and it varies depending on class.
Bowles and Gintis also believe in the myth of meritocracy they argue that education is a con trick and that education promotes false consciousness.
A Marxist Bordieu suggests that schools are middle class institutions, which benefit middle class children because they have access to cultural capital which are associated with the dominate class and seen