Ethnicity and Achievement - Internal Factors.

Question 1

Labelling and Self Fulfilling Prophecy

Answer 1

• BC are more likely to be given negative labels that negatively affect their educational achievement.
• They more likely to be given behavioural labels.
• Become self-fulfilling prophecies.
• Not bother at school because they believe they are a slow learner.

-Other ethnic groups such as Chinese and Indian are likely to be given positive labels, developing a positive self-fulfilling prophecy and succeed at school.

Question 2

Ethnocentric Curriculum

Answer 2

• We see our own culture as superior to others.
• Ethnocentric curriculum is the idea that school regards White British culture as superior, does not value other cultural contributions.

Schools only teach European languages.
History is taught from a British perspective.
School holidays are set according to Christian festivals.
Arrangements for PE. Muslim girls have to cover up so the PE kit is not suitable.

Question 3

Institutional Racism

Answer 3

• Can greatly influence achievement whether in intentional or not.
• Can be a lack of ethnic teachers, disciplining some groups more than others.

MIRZA:

• Black girls experience racism in lessons.
• Girls developed strategies to deal with the racism (not part taking in discussions and not choosing subjects with racist teachers).
• These strategies restricted their opportunities to achieve at school, leads to low achievement.

Question 4

Marketisation

Answer 4

• School being run as a business can disadvantage certain groups such as Bangladeshi and Pakistani.
• May not be aware of how to play the system.
• Lack Educational Capital.
• Cannot afford transport costs for schools outside the catchment area because of material deprivation.
• Also lack cultural capital to challenge school admission decisions.
• Chinese and Indian families possess as 4 types of capital.
• Ensure their children go to the best schools.
• Schools cream-skim Chinese and Indian students because they believe they’ll achieve excellent grades.

Question 5

Pupil Subcultures

Answer 5

SEWELL:

• The Rebels reject goals and rules of school.
• The Conformists want to do well, accepting goals of school. Not part of a subculture.
• The Retreatists are isolated individuals, ‘loners’ and not part of a subculture.
• The Innovators are pro-education but anti-school. They value success but do not seek approval from their teachers.