Ethnic Differences in Achievement: External and Internal Factors in Education

What is cultural deprivation?

A theory that suggests a lack of intellectual and linguistic skills in minority pupils contributes to underachievement.

What evidence contradicts the idea that language is a major cause of educational underachievement?

Gilborn and Mirza (2000) found that some ethnic groups achieve highly despite language barriers.

How do cultural deprivation theorists view the motivation of BAME children?

They see a lack of motivation and a fatalistic attitude as causes of underachievement.

What family structure is often cited as a cause of underachievement in minority pupils?

Dysfunctional family structures, particularly lone parent families.

What is the 'cycle of dysfunction' in the context of cultural deprivation?

The idea that the historical experience of slavery has led to a loss of language, religion, and family systems in the Black community.

How do Asian families typically support their children's education?

Pupils from India and China benefit from supportive families that place a high value on education.

What challenges do Asian parents' high expectations create for their children?

They can lead to stress and anxiety, particularly for girls.

What social issues do white working-class pupils face that may contribute to underachievement?

Lack of parental support and exposure to a brutal street culture that spills over into schools.

What does Erol Lawrence (1982) argue about Black pupils' underachievement?

He claims it is not due to low self-esteem but rather racism.

What is the ethnocentric curriculum?

An educational system biased in favor of white culture, which can disadvantage ethnic minority children.

What does material deprivation refer to?

The lack of material necessities seen as normal for everyday life, impacting educational success.

How do social class factors interact with ethnicity in educational achievement?

Material inequality exists between ethnic groups, but social class does not always override ethnicity's influence.

What role does racism play in educational achievement?

Racial discrimination can lead to social exclusion and affect minorities' educational success.

What is the 'A-to-C economy' in education?

A system where teachers focus resources on students they believe can achieve a C grade or higher.

How do teachers often label Black and Asian pupils?

Black pupils are often seen as aggressive, while Asian pupils are viewed as passive.

What did Gillborn & Youdell (2000) find about teacher discipline?

Teachers were quicker to discipline Black pupils due to racialized expectations.

What are the three student identities constructed by teachers according to Archer (2008)?

1) Ideal pupil: White, middle-class, achieves the 'right way'. 2) Pathologised pupil: Asian, deserving poor, asexual. 3) Demonised pupil: Black/white, working-class, hyper-sexualised.

How do pupils respond to teacher racism and negative labelling?

Research shows that pupils can respond in a variety of ways, including resistance or conformity.

What is the significance of the term 'street culture' in relation to white working-class pupils?

It refers to a brutal environment that teaches young people to withstand intimidation, affecting their behavior in schools.

What is the impact of teacher expectations on Black pupils?

Low expectations can lead to Black pupils being placed in lower streams, affecting their educational opportunities.

What does the term 'material inequality' imply in the context of ethnic groups?

It suggests that different ethnic groups experience varying levels of access to resources that support educational achievement.

What is the relationship between racism and poverty according to the text?

Poverty may be a by-product of racism, leading to discrimination in housing and employment.

What did Wood et al (2010) find regarding employment discrimination?

Companies are more likely to favor white candidates over BAME candidates, affecting their economic opportunities.

What identity do teachers often assign to Black pupils?

Teachers often place Black pupils in identity 2 or 3, viewing them as loud, challenging, and excessively sexualized.

What was Mary Fuller's finding regarding Black girls in London Comprehensive Schools?

Mary Fuller found that Black girls were high achievers in a school where most were in low streams, challenging negative stereotypes through educational success.

How did Black girls in Fuller's study cope with teacher racism?

They did not seek approval from teachers, maintained relationships with lower streamed pupils, and relied on their own efforts to pass exams.

What are the four responses of boys to racism according to Sewell?

1. Rebels: Reject goals and conform to stereotypes; 2. Conformists: Accept educational goals and rules; 3. Retreatists: Isolated individuals; 4. Innovators: Pro-education but anti-school.

What does labelling theory suggest about teacher stereotypes?

Labelling theory shows how teacher stereotypes can lead to pupil failure.

What is the difference between institutional racism and individual racism?

Institutional racism is built into the operations of institutions like schools, while individual racism stems from the prejudiced views of individuals.

What does Critical Race Theory (CRT) argue about racism in society?

CRT sees racism as an ingrained feature of society, involving institutional racism and 'locked-in inequality' that perpetuates disadvantage.

How does marketisation affect ethnic minority children in education?

Marketisation allows schools to use negative stereotypes in admission decisions, leading to ethnic segregation and underfunded schools for minority children.

What did Troyna and Williams state about the British curriculum?

They stated that the British curriculum reflects white culture and prioritizes it, such as through holidays aligned with the Christian calendar.

What is the 'model minority' stereotype in education?

The 'model minority' stereotype refers to Indian and Chinese pupils who achieve high exam results, often linked to cultural factors like strong parental encouragement.

What criticism does Gillborn have regarding the 'model minority' idea?

Gillborn argues that the 'model minority' idea is misleading and obscures racial inequality in education, suggesting that success is attributed to culture rather than systemic factors.

What impact do negative teacher stereotypes have on Black pupils?

Negative stereotypes can lead to lower expectations, higher rates of exclusion, and placement in lower sets or streams, affecting their academic performance.

How do assumptions about Indian and Chinese students affect their educational outcomes?

Assumptions that Indian and Chinese students are hardworking can lead to more encouragement and placement in higher sets, positively impacting their results.

What was the result of the competitive nature of marketisation in schools?

Schools may prefer admitting students they believe will perform better, often based on racial stereotypes, leading to less ethnically mixed schools.

What does Gillborn mean by 'locked-in inequality'?

'Locked-in inequality' refers to the persistent advantages that certain groups maintain, making it difficult for disadvantaged groups to change their circumstances.

What is the significance of the 'Gifted and Talented' program?

The 'Gifted and Talented' program was created to meet the needs of more able pupils from minority groups, but may still reflect biases in identifying gifted students.

What did Gillborn find regarding the identification of gifted students?

Gillborn found that White students are twice as likely as Black Caribbean pupils to be identified as gifted and talented.

How do teacher expectations influence Black pupils' academic performance?

Negative teacher expectations can lead to lower academic performance, discipline issues, and reduced opportunities for Black pupils.

What are the consequences of institutional racism in education?

Institutional racism can lead to systemic disadvantages for ethnic minority students, perpetuating cycles of underachievement and inequality.

How do Black boys typically respond to the educational system, according to Sewell?

Black boys may respond in various ways, including rebellion against the system, conformity to educational goals, or retreating from school culture.

What role do relationships with peers play in the educational success of Black girls?

Black girls maintained relationships with lower streamed pupils while relying on their own efforts to succeed academically.

What is the impact of racism on the educational aspirations of ethnic minorities?

Racism can diminish the educational aspirations of ethnic minorities by instilling a sense of inferiority and limiting opportunities.

What does the term 'institutional racism' imply in the context of education?

It implies that the policies and practices of educational institutions can systematically disadvantage certain racial groups.