Internal Factors (2) Institutional Racism

Question 1

What is critical race theory?

Answer 1

Sees racism as an ingrained feature of society so inequality is deep rooted and inevitable

Question 2

How is marketisation and segregation biased?

Answer 2

• Gillborn argues as marketisation allows school to select pupils, it means negative stereotypes can influence school admissions
• The Commission for Racial Equality found racism in school admissions meant ethnic minority children are more likely to end up in unpopular schools due to primary school reports that stereotype, racist bias in interviews, a lack of information and application forms in minority languages

Question 3

What is an ethnocentric curriculum?

Answer 3

A curriculum that reflect the culture of one ethnic group (the dominant culture)

Question 4

Describe how the curriculum is ethnocentric

Answer 4

• David notes the Curriculum is ‘specifically British’ and ignores non-European languages, literature and music
• Ball claims the Curriculum ignores ethnic diversity and promotes an attitude of ‘little Englandism’ as the history curriculum recreates a mythical age of empire while underrepresenting ethnic minorities

Question 5

How is assessment bias?

Answer 5

• Gillborn argues assessment is rigged to validate the dominant culture’s superiority
• The foundation stage profile (measure of ability) made it appear that black student were doing worse. In the new FSP black children ranked lower than whites across all areas, even though in the previous assessment system they were doing better than white people
• Gillborn argues this is due to it being based on teachers’ judgements and the FSP being completed at the end of reception instead of the start of primary

Question 6

How are access to opportunities bias?

Answer 6

• The ‘Gifted and Talented’ programme aimed to meet the needs of more able pupils in inner-city schools
• But, Gillborn found white people are 5 times more likely to be identified as ‘Gifted and Talented’ than Black Africans. This is because they’re based on teachers judgements

Question 7

What is New IQism?

Answer 7

Gillborn argues this is when false assumptions are made about a pupils ability and it seen as fixed. IQ Tests aren’t a genuine measure of potential and only allocate students into inaccurate streams, which works against black pupils’ access to opportunities

Question 8

What are criticisms of Gillborn?

Answer 8

• He argues institutional racism is the major cause while Sewell argues it isn’t powerful enough to prevent success. Rather we need to focus on external factors
• Indian and Chinese still do well. Gillborn counterargues that the image of them as hardworking minorities conceals institutional racism. It makes the system appear fair and meritocratic and justifies the failure of other minorities so ignores that they still suffer racism in school

Question 9

Describe a study that explores the link between ethnicity and gender

Answer 9

Connolly study showed how masculinity was constructed based on ethnicity. Teachers saw black boys as disruptive and controlled them more so they responded by seeking non-academic while Asian boys as passive and feminine leading to bullying by other boys to assert their own masculine