Education: Differences in achievement by Ethnicity

Question 1

How can the education impact on some students?

Answer 1

• The lack of Black history, culture and success on the curriculum has led to lower self esteem among some students
• A disconnect between a cultural experience outside of school and inside can lead to alienation
• National curriculum has remained ethnocentric.
• Hidden curriculum exists of very few black teachers. This could be because of a lack of black history and cultural literacy in schools which put off students from certain backgrounds from going into the profession

Question 2

What did Gillborn (2002) assert about institutional racism within schools?

Answer 2

• Teachers interpret policy in a way that disadvantages Black students. E.g. the way some students are deemed as gifted and others as ‘no hopers’.
• Racism affects some minorities more than others. ‘Model minorities’ who are seen to have a positive attitude are treated better than those that present a ‘gruff’ exterior.