2.2.6
Ethnicity
Ethnicity and Educational Achievement
Ethnicity and Educational Achievement
There are wide differences between ethnic groups and educational achievement.
Ethnic differences
Ethnic differences
- There are wide differences between ethnic groups and educational achievement.
- The highest-achieving minority ethnic group at GCSE level are Chinese and Indian Asian pupils.
- The lowest-achieving minority groups at GCSE level are Black Caribbean, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Roma and Traveller-of-Irish-Heritage pupils.
Explanation
Explanation
- There are many explanations for the reasons why some ethnic groups perform better or worse in education, including those outside the school and those within it.
- External factors include:
- Social class differences and racism.
- Internal factors include:
- Language differences, teacher expectation, anti-school sub-cultures and ethnocentrism.
External and Internal Factors
External and Internal Factors
There are many explanations for the reasons why some ethnic groups generally perform better or worse in education, including those outside the school and those within it.
External factors (outside the school)
External factors (outside the school)
- Minority ethnic groups are twice as likely to live in poverty as White British, so all the factors related to social class and achievement apply.
- Racism in society may mean that minority ethnic groups face higher risks of material disadvantage at school while also leading to lower levels of self-esteem among young people, influencing their motivation and behaviour.
Internal factors (inside the school)
Internal factors (inside the school)
- Language differences may cause difficulties with schoolwork and communicating with teachers even though this only applies to a minority of pupils.
- Nevertheless, teachers might assume that problems with communication is linked to academic ability.
Racist stereotypes
Racist stereotypes
- Racism amongst pupils can result in race-related bullying and name-calling, lowering levels of self-esteem.
- Evidence indicates that some teachers might hold negative racist stereotypes of some minority groups (e.g. Gillborn and Youdell, 1999), resulting in some pupils being ignored or labelled as disruptive.
Subcultures
Subcultures
- Minority ethnic group pupils who are subjected to racism, racial stereotypes or labelling at school may form anti-school sub-cultures.
Ethnocentric curriculums
Ethnocentric curriculums
- School organisation and curriculum may be ethnocentric, adhering to white middle-class culture, resulting in other cultures becoming marginalised.
1Theory & Methods
1.1Sociological Theories
1.2Sociological Methods
2Education with Methods in Context
2.1Role & Function of the Education System
2.2Educational Achievement
2.3Relationships & Processes Within Schools
3Option 1: Culture & Identity
3.1Conceptions of Culture
3.2Identity & Socialisation
3.3Social Identity
3.4Production, Consumption & Globalisation
4Option 1: Families & Households
4.1Families & Households
4.2Changing Patterns
4.3The Symmetrical Family
4.4Children & Childhood
5Option 1: Health
5.1Social Constructions
5.2Social Distribution of Healthcare
5.3Provision & Access to Healthcare
5.4Mental Health
6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare
6.1Poverty & Wealth
7Option 2: Beliefs in Society
7.1Ideology, Science & Religion
7.2Religious Movements
7.3Society & Religion
8Option 2: Global Development
8.1Development, Underdevelopment & Global Inequality
8.2Globalisation & Global Organisations
8.3Aid, Trade, Industrialisation, Urbanisation
9Option 2: The Media
9.1Contemporary Media
9.2Media Representations
10Crime & Deviance
10.1Crime & Society
10.2Social Distribution of Crime
Jump to other topics
1Theory & Methods
1.1Sociological Theories
1.2Sociological Methods
2Education with Methods in Context
2.1Role & Function of the Education System
2.2Educational Achievement
2.3Relationships & Processes Within Schools
3Option 1: Culture & Identity
3.1Conceptions of Culture
3.2Identity & Socialisation
3.3Social Identity
3.4Production, Consumption & Globalisation
4Option 1: Families & Households
4.1Families & Households
4.2Changing Patterns
4.3The Symmetrical Family
4.4Children & Childhood
5Option 1: Health
5.1Social Constructions
5.2Social Distribution of Healthcare
5.3Provision & Access to Healthcare
5.4Mental Health
6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare
6.1Poverty & Wealth
7Option 2: Beliefs in Society
7.1Ideology, Science & Religion
7.2Religious Movements
7.3Society & Religion
8Option 2: Global Development
8.1Development, Underdevelopment & Global Inequality
8.2Globalisation & Global Organisations
8.3Aid, Trade, Industrialisation, Urbanisation
9Option 2: The Media
9.1Contemporary Media
9.2Media Representations
10Crime & Deviance
10.1Crime & Society
10.2Social Distribution of Crime
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