1. Ethnicity and EDUCATION

2. Pupils achieving 5 or more A*-C at GCSE/GNVQ: by sex and ethnic group, 2004, England

3. Ethnicity and Differential Achievement  Some people say that intelligence is inherited  However, we know that IQ tests can be culturally biased  The Swann Report (1985) suggested that there is no significant difference in IQ between different ethnic minorities

4. Labelling, Curriculum and Prejudice  Labelling theory: Gillborn (1990)  Teachers sometimes negatively label black students.  Afro-Caribbean students were seen as a challenge to school authority.  “ myth of the black challenge ”

5. Labelling, Curriculum and Prejudice

6.  Is the school curriculum ethnocentric ?  i.e. does school favour one ethnic group over another (such as the white, middle class)?  It could be argued that the National Curriculum is Europe-centred

7. Labelling, Curriculum and Prejudice  British education: “ institutionally racist ”?  Wright (1992) : Asian girls got less attention from teachers, whilst Afro- Caribbean boys were more likely to be sent out of class  This is despite a staff commitment to equal opportunities

8. Language and Achievement  Language was once a barrier…  Swann Report : Language didn’t affect progress for later generations  Driver and Ballard (1981) : Asian children whose first language was not English were just as good at English as their classmates (aged 16)

9. Language and Achievement

10. Family Difference  Family life varies for different ethnic groups…  Driver and Ballard (1981) : levels of achievement are increased for children from Asian communities because of family expectations

11. Ethnicity + Social Class  Swann Report: socio-economic status a factor for Afro-Caribbean pupils  Material deprivation amongst Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Afro-Caribbean groups  High(er) class: Chinese, Indian groups = material deprivation less likely

12. Tikly (2005)  Dual Heritage  Level of achievement – below average (particularly amongst males)  Lower income levels? Single parent families? More racism? Ignorant teachers?