Educational Achievement

Question 1

What do statistics show about ethnic minority achievement in education? GWC

Answer 1

1. G- Groups - Some minority ethnic groups (Chinese and Indian) achieve better results than others (Black Caribbean and Pakistani).
2. W- White - White working-class boys achieve the lowest GCSE grades.
3. C- Class - Social class differences may explain some variations between ethnic groups – some ethnicities are more likely to be poor, so figures may reflect that rather than the impact of ethnicity.

Question 2

What are the main problems with using ethnicity statistics? GC

Answer 2

G- General - Categories can be too general (e.g., ‘Asian’ doesn’t show differences between Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi students).
C - Class - Most statistics don’t account for social class background impact on ethnicity.

Question 3

How does material deprivation affect ethnic minority achievement? HUH - FI

Answer 3

*Half of ethnic minority children live in low-income households.
* Unemployment rates higher for ethnic minorities.
* Housing substandard for many
* Free school meals – some groups more likely to be eligible
* Indian pupils often achieve better due to wealthier backgrounds.

Question 4

What cultural factors influence ethnic minority achievement? WCLD

Answer 4

• W - Schools dominated by white, ‘mainstream’ norms and values.
• C- Cultural capital advantages white middle-class
• L - Language spoken at home can affect learning.
• C - Cultural differences mean ethnic minority students may feel disadvantaged

Question 5

What is the ethnocentric curriculum?

Answer 5

• Curriculum biased towards white European culture.
  • Example of institutional racism.
  • Ignores non-European languages, literature, art, and music.
  • History curriculum focuses on empire while ignoring Black and Asian history.
  • Can lead to underachievement as students feel undervalued.

Question 6

How can the ethnocentric curriculum affect student achievement?

Answer 6

• Can make ethnic minority students feel undervalued.
  • May cause feelings of alienation.
  • Can damage student self-esteem.
  • May lead to academic underachievement.
  • Creates stereotypical representations of minority groups.

Question 7

What are the institutional factors affecting ethnic achievement?

Answer 7

• Institutional racism in schools.
  • Teacher expectations.
  • Ethnocentric curriculum content.
  • Lack of ethnic minority role models.
  • School policies and practices that may disadvantage certain groups.

Question 8

How do home/community factors affect ethnic achievement?

Answer 8

• Language spoken at home.
  • Cultural values and attitudes toward education.
  • Family support and expectations.
  • Access to educational resources.
  • Community influences and support networks.