Institutional Racism Within Schools

Question 1

define ‘institutional racism’

Answer 1

the way that an entire institution’s policies, procedures, and practices systematically disadvantage ethnic minority pupils

Question 2

define ‘locked-in inequality’

Answer 2

inequalities in the way that ethnic minority groups experience schooling are now so deep-rooted and discriminatory that they form a locked-in inequality

Question 3

how did schools assess pupils before? how is it different to now?

Answer 3

• before : pupils would complete a baseline test to measure what the pupil knew, before the teacher knew them
• *now** : foundation stage profile assessment that is based on a teachers judgement about pupils

Question 4

one pro and one con of this new teacher assessment method?

Answer 4

pro : allows professional judgement of teachers to be considered
con : the move instantly identified black pupils as a cause for concern once the data was analysed

Question 5

how do teachers’ racialised stereotypes unfairly disadvantage black pupils?

Answer 5

• the intelligence of black pupils is labelled as “fixed” or “low ability” and used to justify putting them in the lower sets

Question 6

what is ‘new IQism’ (2)

Answer 6

• based on teacher perceptions replacing traditional intelligence tests
• overlooks the potential for pupils to make progress, ‘fixed’ level

Question 7

2020 example of teacher assessments & people’s opinions (4)

Answer 7

• SATs exams cancelled
• schools asked to submit centre assessed grades
• some felt it was good, as teachers knew you best
• ## others believed racialised stereotyping influenced the grade people got